Page:War's dark frame (IA warsdarkframe00camp).pdf/41

Rh "You mean, for you! After what I've come through. I've learned my lesson. I've had my dose."

"I said mildly, " that when you are quite well nothing will persuade you to put yourself in the way of such ingratitude again?

You won't go back to war if they need you?"

He braced himself on his crutch. He took one quick puff at his pipe.

"Like to see," he said guffly, "the man that'd ask me that when I'm good and well."

He raised his hand in a simple salute. So they grumble, these veterans!

When one turns from such refuse of battle to the untried material one endeavours not to forecast. By chance we came at nightfall to a town which was the centre of a vast training cantonment. Because of the restrictions on automobile lights it is necessary to stop where darkness catches you. We watched the dusk descend over the green and rolling hills. From the distant hamlets, from the nearer cottages, picturesque, with low thatched roofs, no lights gleamed. The twilight acquired a primeval quality. It encased one as in an armour against an eager and treacherous enemy.

Soldiers, too self-conscious, perhaps because of this primitive projection from their surroundings, guided with sentimental gestures along the road-