la goutte =* un verre d’ eau-de-vie

23. y aura du tabac . . . Observe (1) that the c of tabac is silent; (2) that this is a slang expression équivalent to the English: “ there will be something doing.”

24. le mot, i. e., le mot d'ordre (the countersign, the password).

25. ce . . . Bourget, a small village, north of Paris, known for the hotly contested engagements of October 28 and Decernber 24, 1870. The events related in this story are supposed therefore to hâve taken place at the last named date.

42, 13. fit = dit.

18. deux moustaches jaunes for une moustache jaune , i. e., une tête.

43, 9. Champagne. La Champagne is an eastern French province, famous for its sparkling wines.

11. On leur versa à boire = on leur versa quelque chose à boire. Cf. note, p. 29, 1. 2.