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A DAY AT DUN 115
was no convenient car going direct to Main Headquarters
before then. Sitting by myself in Madame du Vernier’s
chateau was far too slow, and I preferred a walk to the great
base hospital, where the chief staff surgeon. Professor Sick
of Leipzig, showed and explained everything to me in the
most obliging way. We went from ward to ward and spoke to
many of the patients, both German and French. The largest
ward had room for forty beds. Over the head of each was
a paper giving the wounded man’s number, name and regi-
ment. On a folding table by the side of the bed stood a num-
ber of medicines and a glass of water, and in many cases a
little Bible, some field postcards and portraits of relations at
home. There was also a chart showing the wounded man’s
temperature from day to day. Wards, beds and everything
were excellent, which was not to be wondered at, since the
building was a hospital in peace time. My visit concerned in
particular my friend Baron von Maltzahn, who lay wrapped
and bandaged in an officers’ ward. His condition was better
to-day, and I was able to sit chatting with him for a good
while. He agreed with me that it was a stupid thing to choose
a motor accident, when there were so many other ways of
getting killed in war. Not till several weeks later was von
Maltzahn sufficiently recovered to be able to stand the journey
to his home ; but as late as the middle of November, when
I saw him again in Berlin, he was still limping and had to
use a stick.
I then said good-bye to Madame Desserrey and her charming
daughter, and made a hasty portrait of Mademoiselle Blanche,
which, however, by no means did her justice. After the con-
clusion of peace I was to write and remind her of the hours we
had spent together during the war.
To conclude with a trifling anecdote : I was standing in
the road in front of the chateau, making a hurried sketch of
it. Then up came a sentry and addressed me in a rough
tone :
" It is forbidden to draw the Crown Prince’s quarters !
"
" 0-oh ?
"
" Give me your sketch-book."
" Here you are."
" If you have no permit I shall turn you away."
" You can’t turn away the Crown Prince’s guests."
" x\nybody can say that. Where is your identification ?
"
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