I saw the boys grin, for I had the reputation of being a good feeder; but I was surely glad to get back to plain, hearty army rations again.
So it was that I again took up my duties with a heartiness that, before going “over the top,” I had been a trifle lacking in.
I learned that on counting noses three of our company were killed and seven wounded.
We talked about that skirmish so much that the woman who owned the barn where we had our billet complained, because her cow couldn’t sleep. And after all the talk, there was not much of an understanding about the fight; for a soldier does not see much that is taking place in battle a great way from his nose. What we afterwards saw dwarfed this first call on the Boches; but a first experience leaves a deep impression.
CHAPTER X
IN REST BILLET
After our first call on the Boches, we enjoyed the rest and recuperation of our billets.
“This cow barn,” said Corporal Sutherland, “seems like a good thing after being in the trenches; don’t it?”
“An’ faith it does,” said Quinn; “but a fine tooth comb would improve it.”
“Pat,” said Dean, facetiously, “is related to that countryman of his who found fault because he was to be hanged.”