Shire first sought out not the British, but the stationmaster, a Frenchman named Donadi.
Shire believed that the British were inherently "not of our kind," taking advantage was the law of the jungle, but what was more hateful were those Frenchmen who sold out their nation's interests.
However, Donadi's reply made it impossible for Shire to hate him.
Donadi, faced with the imposing guards and knowing the famous Shire stood before him, was so frightened that he trembled all over.
"General," Donadi replied in a trembling voice, "Please, please believe me, I don't want to do this either. But this is an order from my superiors, and if I don't comply, I will immediately... lose this hard-won job!"
Donadi's eyes were full of pleading, seemingly saying that the struggles of big figures end up affecting us little people, and collateral damage condemns our entire families to starvation.
Shire was momentarily speechless.
