It happened while we were in billets in Marie's village.

As I've told, Marie and I got very friendly, and I was a frequent visitor in the Drollet home.

It was about the fourth day there, my Captain calls me over. "John," he said, with a strange look in his eye, "I've had a request from Monsieur Drollet. It seems he has an extra bedroom, and would like you billeted with the family. Any objections?"

It didn't take me long - apart from the thought of being near Marie, there was also the thought of a bed, rather than hay, and getting away from the snoring and smell of a platoon of men.

"None at all, Sir. Happy to oblige. Would you like me to take the answer personally?"

"See to it, Sergeant." And I thought I heard "You lucky blighter!" added under his breath.

I spent a very pleasant evening with the Drolets. I sat up with Monsieur Drollet over some excellent cognac. Then I made my way up the stairs to what had been Pierre's room, and fell fast asleep.

My dreams were at first mixed up with the stories M. Drollet told of the Franco-Prussian War. Then I settled, and it seemed to me that I wasn't alone in the bed. That there was a soft warm body next to mine. I could feel kisses, and smell perfume.

Now, as you know, men have that kind of dream all the time, and especially when they've been deprived of female companionship.

When I woke, I was alone.

Was it a dream? I've often wondered. I've asked Marie, but she just smiles. Even now, when we've been married ten years, I can't decide whether it was a dream or not.