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THE ARMISTICE
Ever since we had received news of the German peace offers and President Wilson's replies, rumours had multiplied enormously—the Kaiser had been assassinated, the German Fleet had surrendered, German troops were deserting in masses, German submarines were floating on the surface and flying white flags, a German Republic had been proclaimed with Liebknecht as President.
One evening after a day of unusually hard labour, we were lying exhausted in our tent. Suddenly the flap was thrown open, a man pushed his head in and shouted excitedly:
"I say, you chaps, the Armistice has been signed—it's official!"
"Who says so? Did you see it in print?"
"No, I just heard it from a despatch rider. He got it from his C.O.—it's official."
"Don't believe it. We've heard that tale too often."
"All right, then, don't!" the man shouted angrily and walked off.