BON SOIR FOR SUPPER

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 26, 1 April 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

BON SOIR FOR SUPPER

The following story is a perfectly true one; the incident occurred at a certain village upon the Aisue. A section of British infantry entered a French village in the evening and were going to billet for the night, so many thought it a good chance to cook a hot supper. A private had foraged round and found everything to make a good Irish stew except the potatoes. Being unable to speak French, he asked his section commander what was tha French for potatoes. The section commander being a bit of a wit and scenting some fun, replied " Bon soir" ("Good evening"). The private in perfect good faith, went up to a house door and was answered by a Frenchwoman, who did no; understand one word of English, and the following conversation occurred: Private; ''Bon soir." Frenchwoman: "Bon soir, Monsieur." Private: ''Yes, boll soir." Frenchwoman: "Bon soir, Monsieur." Private: ''Yes, yes! Some bon soirs, please." Thomas Atkins, seeing the look ot amazement on the good Frenchwoman's face, and seeing a potato lying in the roadway, thought he had better adopt different tactics, so picking up the potato and showing it to the woman, said: "Here, missus, give us some of these blooming spuds."