They
listened sympathetically to my grievances, for they had grievances
of their own. When soldiers have no grievances the Army will
perish of smug content.
"Why can't they give me a billet in the Army Pay and let me
release a man sounder of wind and limb?" I asked. "What's the good
of legs to a man who sits on his hunkers all day in an office and
fills up Army forms? I hate seeing you lucky fellows in uniform."
"We're not a pretty sight," said the most rotund, who was a wag in
his way.
Then we discussed what we knew and what we didn't know of the
Battle of Ypres, and the withdrawal of our Second Army, and shook
our heads dolorously over the casualty lists, every one of which
in those days contained the names of old comrades and of old
comrades' boys. And when they had finished their coffee and mild
cigars they went off well contented to their dull jobs and the
room began to thin. Other acquaintances on their way out paused
for a handshake and a word, and I gathered scraps of information
that had come "straight from Kitchener," and felt wonderfully wise
and cheerful.
I had been sitting alone for a few minutes when a man rose from a
far corner, a tall soldierly figure, his arm in a sling, and came
straight towards me with that supple, easy stride that only years
of confident command can give.
Pages:
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153