He was back there when Spike on his stretcher came violently to life.
"What a dark night!" said Spike between two of the spasms that wrenched him. "Can't see your hand before your face!"
"Say, you're hog fat!" grumbled Private Cowan. "You weigh a ton!"
"It's dark, but it feels light—it's warm."
Private Cowan leaned to shield the sun from Spike's garbled face.
"Sure it's dark!" said he.
"Can't see your hand before your face!"
Spike was holding up a hand, thumb and fingers widely spread, moving it before his sightless eyes.
"You got to go back. You're too fat to be up here."
He rested his hand on Spike's forehead but withdrew it quickly when Spike winced.