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THE MARCH PAST
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RENé, Bernard, Roger, Jacques, and Etienne feel sure there is nothing finer in the world than to be a soldier. Francine agrees with them and she would love to be a boy to join the army. They think so because soldiers wear fine uniforms, epaulettes and gold lace, and glittering swords. There is yet another reason for putting the soldier in the front rank of citizens—because he gives his life for his Country. There is no true greatness in this world but that of sacrifice, and to offer one’s life is the greatest of all sacrifices, because it includes all others. That is why the hearts of the crowd beat high when a regiment1 goes by.
René is the General. He wears a cocked hat and rides a war-horse. The hat is made of paper and the horse is a chair. His army consists of a drummer and four men—of whom one is a girl! “Shoulder arms! Forward, march!” and the march past begins. Francine and Roger look quite imposing2 under arms. True, Jacques does not hold his gun very valiantly3. He is a melancholy4 lad. But we must not blame him for that; dreamers can be just as brave as those who never dream at all. His little brother Etienne, the tiniest mite5 in the regiment, looks pensive6. He is ambitious; he would like to be a general officer right away, and that makes him sad.
“Forward! forward!” René shouts the order. “We are to fall on the Chinese, who are in the dining-room.” The Chinese are chairs. When you play at fighting, chairs make first-rate Chinese. They fall—and what better can the Chinese do? When all the chairs are feet in air, René announces: “Soldiers, now we have beaten the Chinese, we will have our rations7.” The idea is well received on all hands. Yes, soldiers must eat. This time the Commissariat has furnished the best of victuals—buns, maids of honour, coffee cakes and chocolate cakes, red-currant
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1
regiment
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n.团,多数,管理;v.组织,编成团,统制 | |
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2
imposing
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adj.使人难忘的,壮丽的,堂皇的,雄伟的 | |
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3
valiantly
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adv.勇敢地,英勇地;雄赳赳 | |
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4
melancholy
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n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
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5
mite
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n.极小的东西;小铜币 | |
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6
pensive
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a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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7
rations
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定量( ration的名词复数 ); 配给量; 正常量; 合理的量 | |
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8
syrup
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n.糖浆,糖水 | |
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9
enviously
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adv.满怀嫉妒地 | |
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