XVII
Bill on War

(February, 1917)

My Land, ’twas cold thet night I set with Bill

Around the iron stove het up red hot

An’ Bill a-stokin’ on’t with all ’is mite.

He calls the room ’is “offis;” three four cheers,

A bench, farm jurnels layin’ on a stand,

Some books on cattle-feedin’—Bill’s he’s up

Ter date on all thet stuff, tho’ he aint hed

No the’ry trainin’ in them farmin’ schools—