The poem
'Twas in a village in Lorraine Whose name I quite forget, I found I needfully was fain To buy a serviette. I sought a shop wherein they sell Such articles as these, And told a smiling mademoiselle; 'I want a towel, please.'
'Of kinds,' said she, 'I've only two,' And took the bundles down; And one was coloured azure blue, And one was khaki brown. With doubt I scratched my hoary head; The quality was right; The size too, yet I gravely said: 'Too bad you haven't white.'
That pretty maid had sunny hair, Her gaze was free from guile, And while I hesitated there She watched me with a smile. Then as I went to take the blue She said 'Non' meaning no. 'Ze khaki ones are best, M'sieu: Ze dirts zey do not show.'