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"Wal, wal, wal," declared his honor as he came toward Bob 

"-- and so I am glad to present to you Captain Howe of Wellington Field. It is through his courtesy and kindness that our distinguished guest, our beloved ally from France is with us today. (Applause). It is therefore fitting that Captain Howe should have the honor of introducing our famous visitor from the battlefields, er … the battle skies of France. Captain Howe." (Prolonged applause). 

The mayor sat down mopping his perspiring forehead with a large red handkerchief. Bob stood up. To Charlie, he seemed entirely at ease and he probably was. He didn't have to be a French ace... nothing for him to be scared of... much. Bob was certainly a good speaker...

"--many of you already know of his deeds, his victories in the skies. You have read of his bravery, as who has not? And when he was shot down, badly wounded and no longer able to carry on the flight, he came to America - came to Wellington Field that we might have the benefit of his teaching and his experience. (Applause). During the short time he has been in America, Lieutenant de Marvin has learned to love it. (Applause). He is especially fond of this glorious state, Texas. (Prolonged applause). His interest extends even to our insects, our common red ant for example. (Laughter). I know of one time when he fed them powdered sugar in order to study their habits more closely. He probably did this out of kindness for living things and his love of nature. (Applause). Lieutenant de Marvin has killed his enemies yes, but only because the need of his country made such killing necessary... I know you will be glad to hear the message he brings to you from France. He has not been here very long and his knowledge of English is very limited. But I take much pleasure in introducing Lieutenant Charles Henri de Marvin." (Loud and prolonged applause). 

Bob sat down while the cheers of the people of Keyport continued. He leaned over and whispered in Charlie's ear: "Now entertain 'em you French-talking fool and I hope they lynch you."

Somehow he walked the two steps to the front of the speaker's platform. The cheering continued louder if anything... nothing by human faces looking up at him... and he has to make a speech...funny... he couldn't talk... mouth was too dry...legs awful weak...hang on to the railing...why didn't that mob quit yelling... Inspired, he held up one hand for silence. Instantly the crowd was hushed. Charlie gasped, moistened his lips and began to speak. 

"Ladys… and... shentlemen," it was a good beginning. "Eet give me... great Plaisir...to spik...to such intelligence piple." (Loud applause) "Een fac' I have nevaire...spik...to such intelligence pipple before." Charlie grinned and the crowd cheered some more. Sounded like the start of a great speech. He felt his legs stiffen perceptibly. He went on, "Een my countree... ze war... she has been ver' bad... we have fight ver' long time." (Applause). "This," thought Charlie, "is not very interesting/ I'll have to do better." He started once more:

"T'ree year ago I leave my home. I leave my wife... an' my little bebe... I go to fight ze war... I sink ze war she's be ovair queek.. but, non,... she's las' a long time... an' I do no go back to my wife... an' my little bebe."

By some sort of self-hypnosis Charlie began to get really interested in his imaginary relatives. With many gestures he waved eloquent over his devotion to the missing family. With a great show of emotion he depicted the horrors of war in sunny France. And his audience was visibly affected. Handkerchiefs appeared among the honest Texans. But, once started, Charlie didn't stop. He pictured a war that separated families, massacred children, razed peaceful villages and towns like Keyport- a war that left nothing but bloodshed, desolation and death. And he did it with the speech, the mannerisms and the fervent sincerity of Captain Gautier, his model of mimicry at the post. Then, after fifteen minutes of war at its worse, Charlie decided he had said enough. He wanted to end the oration, get away from Keyport