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The first time we [Hem with French guerrillas] had entered the town all but two were naked from the waist up, and the populace did not greet us with any degree of fervor. The second time I went in with them, everyone was uniformed and we were cheered considerably. The third time we went through the town the men were all helmeted and we were cheered wildly, kissed extensively and heavily champagned, and we made our headquarters in the Hotel du Grand Veneur, which had an excellent wine cellar.

from Battle for Paris, printed in Collier’s on September 30, 1944

I like this not only because of the evident power of uniform, but also because of that final aside that the Hotel had an excellent wine cellar. So much is implied by this brief phrase.

Filed under: hemingWay of the Day | Tagged: authors, Hemingway, nonfiction |