第11章
Thissentiment，however，broughtlittlecomforttothechaplain。
"Iamnotapoliceman，"heprotested，"andIamnotgoingtoplaypolicemantothesemen。InoticethemshutupwhenIcomearound，butIknowquitewellthattheyturnthemselvesloosewhenIpasson，andthattheyfeelmuchmorecomfortable。Iamnotandwillnotbetheirpoliceman。"
"Whatthenwouldyoube？"inquiredtheM。O。
Barryponderedthisquestionforsometime。
"Totellthetruth，"hesaid，atlength，"Iconfess，Idon’tquiteknow。IwishIdid，doc，onmysoul。OnethingIdoknow，themenarenobetterhereintheirmoralsthantheywereathome。"
"Better？Theyareworse，byJove！"exclaimedtheM。O。"Lookatthedailycrime—sheet！Lookatthatdailyorderlyroomparade。
It’ssomethingfierce，andit’sgettingworse。"
"Thewetcanteen？"inquiredBarry，whohadlostprestigewithsomeinthebattalionbyreasonofthestrenuousfighthehadmadeagainstitsintroductionsincecomingtoEngland。Notthatthemencaredsomuchfortheirliquor，buttheyresentedtheideathattheyweredeniedprivilegesenjoyedbyotherbattalions。
"Thewetcanteen？"echoedthedoctor。"No，youknowIopposed，asyoudid，theintroductionofthewetcanteen，althoughnotuponthesamegrounds。Iregarditasaperfectnuisanceincamp。Itisthecentreofeverydisorder，itissubversiveofdiscipline；itmateriallyincreasesmysickparade。Butitisnotthewetcanteenthatischieflyresponsibleforthegrowingcrime—sheetandorderlyroomparade。Itisthosedamned——Idon’tapologise——"
"Pleasedon’t。Sayitagain！"exclaimedBarryfervently。
"Thosedamnedpubs，"continuedtheM。O。，"stuckateverycrossroadsinthiscountry。They’rethecauseofninetypercent。ofthedrunkennessinourarmy，andmorethanthat，IwanttogiveyouanotherbitofinformationthatcameoutatourM。O。conferencethisweek，namelythatthesepubsaccountforninetypercent。ofourtenthospitalcases。"
"Ninetypercent。，doctor？That’ssurelyhigh。"
"Iwouldhavesaidso，butIamgivingyoutheunanimousverdictofthetwenty—sixmedicalofficersattheconference。Cutoutthedamnedbeer——andyouknowItakemyshareofit——cutoutthebeerandninetypercent。ofthevenerealdiseasegoes。Withmeitisnotaquestionofmoralitybutofefficiency。"HeretheM。O。
sprangfromhischairandbegantopacethehut。"Thisistheonethinginthisarmybusinessthatmakesmewild。Wecomeoverheretofight——theseboysarewillingtofight——andbygadtheywillfight！Theygooutforawalk，theyhaveafewbeerstogether，theirinhibitorypowersareparalysed，opportunitycomestheirway，andtheywakeupalittlelaterdiseased。Godinheaven！IlovethisdearoldEngland，andIwoulddieforherifneedbe，butmayGodAlmightydamnherpublichouses，andalltheinfernalandviciouscustomswhichtheynourish。"
"Thankyou，doctor，gorighton，"saidBarry。"Iwasatthetenthospitalthisweekforthefirsttime。Eversince，Ihavebeenwantingtosaywhatyouhavesaidjustnow。ButwhatdidyourM。O。
conferencedoaboutit？"
"Whatcouldwedo？TheHomeOfficeblockstheway。Well，I’vegotthatoffmystomach，andIfeelbetter，"addedtheM。O。，withaslightlaugh。
"But，doc，Iwanttosaythis，"saidBarry。"Idon’tbelievethatthepercentageofmenwhogoinforthissortofthingislarge。
I’vebeenmakinginquiriesfromourchaplainsandtheyallagreethatwehaveamightyfineandcleanbodyofmeninourCanadianarmy。"
"Rightyouare！Ofcourse，itisonlyasmallpercentage，averysmallpercentage——amuchsmallerpercentagethaninourcivilianpopulationathome。Butsmallasitis，itisjustthatmuchtoomany。Hellandblazes！Thesemenaresoldiers。Theyhavelefttheirhomes，andtheirfolks，tofight。Theirpeople——theirpeoplearethebestinourland。There’sthatyoungPentland。Afineryoungchapneverthrewalegoverabroncho。He’sinthattenthospitalto—night。Iknowhismother。Threesonsshehasgiven。
Oh，damnitall，"thedoctor’svoicebrokeatthispoint。"Ican’tspeakquietly。Theirmothershavegiventhemup，todeath，ifneedbe，butnottothisrotten，damnabledisease。Lookhere，Pilot！"
ThedoctorpointedashakingandaccusingfingeratBarry。"Youhaveoftenspokenagainstthisthing，butnexttimeyoubreakloose，givethemmerryhelloverit。Youcan’tmakeittoohot。"
LongBarrysatsilentoverbornebythefuryofthedoctor’spassionateindictment。
"Cheerup，oldchap！"saidthedoctor，whenhiswrathhadsomewhatsubsided。"We’lllicktheKaiserandbeatthedevilyet。"
"But，doctor，whatcanIdo？"imploredBarry。"That’spartofmyjob，surely。Partofthejobofthechaplainservice，Imean。Oh，thatistheghastlytragedyofthisworkofmine。SomehowIcan’tgetatit。Theseevilsexist。Icanspeakagainstthemandmakeenemies，butthethingsgoonjustasbefore。"
"Don’tyoubelieveit，Pilot，notquiteasbefore。Beholdhowyouhavealreadycheckedmyprofanity。Eventheoldmanhasprettymuchcutitoutatmess。Youdon’tknowwheretheywouldhavebeenbutforyou。Cheerup！Ourwingsmaynotbevisiblebut，ontheotherhand，therearenosignsofhornsandhoofs。"
"Doctor，onethingI’lldo，"criedBarry，withasuddeninspiration"We’veameetingofthechaplains’corpsto—morrow。I’llgivethemyourspeech。"
"Expurgatededition，Ihope，"saidtheM。O。
"No，I’llputineverydamnIcanremember，and，ifneedbe，afewmore。"
"Lord，I’dliketobethere，oldboy！"saidthedoctor，fervently。
Barrywasasgoodashisword。Atthemeetingofthechaplains’
corps，thetimewasmainlytakenupinroutinebusiness，dealingwitharrangementsforreligiousservicesatthevariouscampswithinthearea。
Atthecloseofthemeeting，however，oneofthechaplainsroseandannouncedthathehadamattertobringtotheattentionofthecorps——amatterofthehighestimportance，whichdemandedtheirimmediateandseriousattention，andwhichtheydarednotanylongerignore。ItwasthematterofvenerealdiseaseinourCanadianarmy。
Hisstatisticsandillustrativeincidentsgrippedhardtheheartsofthemenpresent。Heclosedwithademandthatstepsbetakenthatdaytodealwiththesituation。TheCanadianpeoplehadentrustedthemwiththecareoftheirboys’souls。"Theirsouls，"
hecried。"Isayourfirstdutyistotheirbodies。Iamnotsayingthepercentageislarge。Itisnotaslargeasinthecivilianpopulationathome。Butwhyany？Wemustcareforthesemen’sbodies。Theyfightwiththeirbodies。"
HislastsentencestruckBarrytotheheart。Itrecalledhisownsermon，spokeninEdmontontohisfather’sbattalion。Immediatelyhewasonhisfeet，andwithoutprefaceorapology，reproducedasfarashewasabletheM。O。’sspeechofthepreviousnight，andthatwithoutexpurgation。
Therewasbutlittlediscussion。Therewasbutoneopinion。Itwasresolvedtocallajointmeetingofthechaplainsandmedicalofficerstodecideuponacourseofaction。
AsBarrywasleavingthemeeting，theseniorchaplain，anoldAnglicanclergyman，withasaintlyfaceandasmilethatsetone’stenderestemotionsastir，cametohim，andputtinghishandaffectionatelyuponhisshoulder，said：
"Andhowisyourworkgoing，mydearfellow？"
ItwastoBarryasifhisfather’shandwereuponhisshoulder，andbeforehewasawarehewaspouringoutthemiserablestoryofhisownsadfailureasachaplain。
"Poorboy！Poorboy！"theoldgentlemankeptsaying。"Iknowhowyoufeel。Justso，justso！"
WhenBarryhadfinishedrelievinghisheartoftheburdenthathadsolonglainuponit，theoldgentlemantookhimbythehandandsaid：
"Mydearfellow，remembertheyarefarfromhome。Theseboysneedtheirmothers。Theysorelyneedtheirmothers！And，myboy，theyneedGod。Andtheyneedyou。Good—bye！"
Barrycameawaywithawarmfeelinginhisheart，andinitanewpurposeandresolve。Nolongerwouldhebeapolicemantohismen。
Hewouldtrytoforgettheirfaults，andtorememberonlyhowsorelytheyneededtheirmothersandtheirGod，andthattheyneededhim，too。
Hefoundthecampthrillingwithgreatnews，gloriousnews。Thedaysolongawaitedhadcome。ThebattalionwasunderordersforFrance。Atthatverymomenttherewasanofficers’meetingintheorderlyroom。
AsBarryenteredtheroom，theO。C。wasclosinghisspeech。
Barrywasimmediatelyconsciousofanewtone，anewspirit，inthecolonel’swords。Hespokewithanewsenseofresponsibility，andwhatmorethananythingelsearrestedBarry’sattention，withanewsenseofbrotherhoodtowardhisofficers。
"InclosingwhatIhavetosay，gentlemen，letmemakeaconfession。
Iamnotsatisfiedwiththebattalion，norwithmyofficers。Iamnotsatisfiedwithmyself。Irememberbeingindignantatthereportsentinbytheinspectingofficerconcerningthisbattalion。I
thoughthewasunfairandundulysevere。IbelieveIsaidso。
Gentlemen，Iwaswrong。SincethattimeIhaveseenworkinsomeregimentsoftheImperialService，andespecially，Ihaveseentheworkonthefrontline。IthinkIknownowwhatdisciplinemeans。
Discipline，gentlemen，isthethingthatsavesanarmyfromdisaster。
Somethingswemustcutoutabsolutely。Whateverunfitsforservicemustgo。Isawasoldier，aCanadiansoldier，shotatthefrontforbeingintoxicated。IprayGod，Imayneverseethelikeagain。Atthispoint，Iwishtoexpressmyappreciationoftheworkofourchaplain，whoIamgladtoseehasjustcomein。Hehasstoodfortherightthingamongus，andhasmateriallyhelpedinthedisciplineandefficiencyofthisbattalion。Gentlemen，youhaveyourorders。Lettherebenofailure。Obedienceisdemanded，notexcuses。Gentlemen，carryon！"
Barryhurriedawaytohishut。Thewordsofhiscolonelhadliftedhimoutofhisdespair。Hehadnotthensodesperatelyfailed。
Hiscolonelhadfoundsomethinginhimtoapprove。AndFrancewasbeforehim！Therewasstillachanceforservice。Theboyswouldneedhimthere。
CHAPTERX
FRANCE
"France，sunnyFrance！"Thetonecarriedconcentratedbitternessanddisgust。"Onecursedfraudafteranotherinthiswar。"
"Cheerup！"saidBarry。"There’sworsetocome——perhapsbetter。
Thisrainisbeastly，butthecloudswillpass，andthesunwillshineagain，forinspiteoftherainthisIS’sunnyFrance。’
There’salittlehomilyforyou，"saidBarry，"andformyselfaswell，forIassureyouthiscombinationofmaldemerandsleetmakesonefeelrotten。"
"Everythingisrotten，"grumbledDuff，gazinggloomilythroughthedrizzlingrainattheruggedoutlineofwharvesthatmarkedtheBoulognedocks。
"Lookatthis，"criedDuff，sweepinghishandtowardthedeck。
"Youwouldthinkthisstuffwasshotoutoftheblowerofathreshingmachine——soldier’sbaggage，kits，quartermaster’sstores——andthisisamilitaryorganisation。GoodLord！"
"LieutenantDuff！IsLieutenantDuffhere？"ItwastheO。C。’svoice。
"Yes，sir，"saidDuff，goingforwardandsaluting。
"Mr。Duff，IwishyoutotakechargeoftheTransportforthepresent。LieutenantBonnerisquiteuseless——helpless，Imean。
YouwillfindSergeantMackayareliableman。SorryIcouldn’tgiveyoulongernotice。Ithink，however，youarethemanforthejob。"
"I’lldomybest，sir，"saidDuff，saluting，astheO。C。turnedaway。
"WhatdidItellyou，Duff？"saidBarry。"Youcertainlyareinforit，andyouhavemysympathy。"
"Sympathy！Don’tyouworryaboutme，"saidDuff。"ThisisjustthekindofthingIlike。Ihaven’trunagangofnavviesintheCrow’sNestPassfornothing。Youwatchmysmoke。But，oneword，Pilot！Whenyouseemebearingdown，fullsteamahead，givemeroom！I’llmakethisgoorbustsomething。"Theninaburstofconfidence，hetookBarrybythearm，andaddedinalowvoice：
"AndifIlive，Pilot，I’llberunningsomethinginthiswarbiggerthantheTransportofabattalionbeforeI’mdone。"
Barrylethiseyesrunoverthepowerfulfigure，therugged，passionateface，litupnowwithgleamingeyes，andsaid：
"Ibelieveyou，Duff。Meantime，I’llwatchyoursmoke。"
"Do！"repliedDuffwithsuperbself—confidence。AnditwasworthwhileduringthenexthourtowatchDuffevolveorderoutofchaos。
Firstofallheputintohismenandintohissergeantthefearofdeath。Buthedidmorethanthat。Hebreathedintothemsomethingofhisownspiritofinvincibledetermination。Hehadthemspringingathissnappyorderswithaneagernessthatwasinitselfthelargerhalfofobedience，andastheyobeyedtheybecameconsciousthattheywereworkingunderthedirectionofabrainthathadaperfectedplanofaction，andthathelditsdetailsfirmlyinitsgrasp。
NotonlydidDuffshowhimselfamasteroforganisationandcontrol，butinacriticalmomenthehimselfleapedintothebreach，anddidthethingthatbalkedhismen。Didaheavytransportwagonjambatthegangway，holdingupthetraffic，withaspring，Duffwasatthewheel。Aheaveofhismightyshoulders，andthewagonwentroaringdownthegangway。Didahorse，stupidwithterror，fromitsunusualsurroundings，balk，Duffhada"twitch"onitsupperlip，andbeforeitknewwhatawfulthinghadgrippedit，thehorsewasliftedclearoutofitstracks，andwasonitswaytothedock。
Beforehehadclearedtheship，Duffhadacircleofadmirersabouthim，gazingasifatacircus。
"Anenergeticofficeryouhavethere，"saidthebrasshatstandingbesidethecolonel。
"Anewman。Thisishisfirsttimeonthetransport，"repliedthecolonel。
"Quiteremarkable！Quiteremarkable！"exclaimedthebrasshat。
"Thatunloadingmusthavebeendoneinrecordtime，andinspiteofquiteunusualconditions。"
Theboatbeingclearandtheloadsmadeup，DuffapproachedtheCommandingOfficer。
"Allready，sir，"heannounced。"Shallwemoveoff？Ishouldliketogetastart。Theroadswillbealmostimpassable，I’mafraid。"
"Doyouknowtheroute？"askedtheCommandingOfficer。
"Yes，sir，Ihaveithere。"
"Allright，goahead，Duff。Amightygoodpieceofworkyouhavedonethere。"
"Thankyou，sir，"saidDuff，salutingandturningaway。
"Moveoff，there，"heshoutedtotheleadingteam。
Thedriverstartedtheteambuttheyslipped，plungedandfellheavily。Duffwasattheirheadsbeforeanyothermancouldmove。
"Getholdhere，men，"heyelled。"Takeholdofthathorse。Whatareyouafraidof？"hecriedtoagroomwhowasgingerlyapproachingthestrugglinganimal。"Nowthen，alltogether！"
Whenhehadtheteamontheirfeetagain，hesaidtothegroomsstandingattheirheads，"Jumpuponthehorses’backs；thatwillhelpthethemtoholdtheirfooting。"
Therewassomeslighthesitationonthepartofthegrooms。
"Comeon！"heroared，andstridingtothehorsenearesthim，heflunghimselfuponitsback。
Agroommountedtheother，andoncemoreastartwasmade，buttheyhadnotgonemorethanafewsteps，whenthegroom’shorsefellheavily，androlledoveronitsside，pinningtheunfortunatemanbeneathhim。
Therewasashriekofagony。InaninstantDuffwasoffhishorseandattheheadofthefallenanimal。
"Medicalofficerhere！"heshouted。"Nowthen，twoofyoumen。
Oneofyoupulloutthatmanwhilewelift。"
Thehorse’sheadandshoulderswereliftedclear，andtheinjuredmanwaspulledoutofdanger。
"Takehimoutoftheway，please，doctor，"saidDuff，totheM。O。，whowasexaminingthegroom。
"Sergeant！"
Hissergeantliterallysprangtohisside。
"Getmeadozenbags，"hesaid。
"Bags，sir？Idon’tknowwhere——"
"Bags，"repeatedDuffsavagely。"Canvas，anythingtowraparoundthesehorses’feet。"
Thesergeantwithoutfurtherwordsplungedintothedarkness，returningalmostimmediatelywithhalfadozenbags。
"Thanks，sergeant；that’sthewaytomove。Nowgetsomemore！"
UnderDuff’sdirectionsthebagsweretiedaboutthefeetofthehorses，thusenablingthemtoholdtheirfooting，andthetransportmovedoffinthedarkness。
Returningfromthedisposingoftheinjuredman，theM。O。foundBarryshiveringwiththecold，andweakfromhisrecentattackofseasickness。
"Therewillbenoendofasickparadeto—morrowmorning，andyou’llbeoneofthem，"grumbledtheM。O。"Iftheydon’tmovethemoutofheresoonthey’lltakethemawayinambulances。Thereareahundredmenatthismomentfittogotohospital，buttheO。C。won’thearofit。"
"Doc，theyoughttohavesomethinghot。Thekitchensareleftbehind，Iunderstand。Letmehaveacoupleofyourmen，andletmeseewhatIcando。"
"It’snouse，I’vetriedallthehotelsabouthere。They’refullup。"
"Noharmtrying，doc，"saidBarry，andoffhewent。
Buthefoundthehotelsfullup，asthedoctorhadsaid。Aftermuchinquiry，hefoundhiswaytotheY。M。C。A。Acheerfulbutsleepysecretary，halfdeadwiththefatigueofaheavydayministeringtosoldiers"goinguptheline，"couldofferhimnohelpatall。
"Doyoumeantosaythatthereisnoplaceinthistown，"saidBarrydesperately，"whereasickmancangetadishofcoffee？"
"Sickman！"criedthesecretary。"Why，certainly！WhynottrytheR。A。M。C。？They’veahospitalhalfamileupthestreet。Theywillcertainlyhelpyouout。I’llcomewithyou。"
"No，youdon’t，"saidBarry。"Yougobacktobed。I’llfindtheplace。"
Halfamileupthestreet，asthesecretaryhadsaid，BarrycameupontheflaringlanternoftheR。A。M。C。，attheentrancetoahugewarehouse，thegateofwhichstoodwideopen。
Enteringthecourtyard，Barryfoundagroupofmenaboutablazingfire。
"MayIseetheofficerincharge？"heasked，approachingthegroup。
Themenglancedathisrankbadges。
"Yes，sir，"saidasergeant，clickinghisheelssmartly。"CanIdoanythingforyou，sir？"
"Thankyou，"saidBarry，andtoldhimhiswants。
"Wehaveplentyofbiscuits，"saidthesergeant，"andcoffee，too。
Youarewelcometoallyoucancarry，butIdon’tseehowwecandoanymoreforyou。Butwouldyouliketoseetheofficerincharge，sir？"
"Thankyou，"saidBarry，andtogethertheypassedintoanotherroom。
Buttheofficerwasengagedelsewhere。Whiletheywerediscussingthematter，adooropened，andayounggirldressedintheuniformofaV。A。D。（VoluntaryAidDetachment）appeared。
"Whatisit，sergeant？"sheinquired，inasoftbutrathertiredvoice。
Thesergeantexplained，whileshelistenedwithmildinterest。
ThenBarrytookupthetale，andproceededtodilateuponthewretchedconditionofhiscomrades，outintheicyrain。ButhisstorymovedtheV。A。D。notatall。Shehadseentoomuchoftherealmiseryandhorrorsofwar。Barrybegantofeeldiscouraged，andindeedalittleashamedofhimself。
"Yousee，wehavejustcomeover，"hesaidinanapologetictone，"andwedon’tknowmuchaboutwaryet。"
"YouareCanadians？"criedthegirl，anewinterestdawninginhereyes。Asshecameintothelight，Barrynoticedthattheywerebrown，andthattheywereverylustrous。
"IlovetheCanadians，"sheexclaimed。"MybrotherwasaliaisonartilleryofficeratYpres；withthem，atthetimeofthegas，youknow。Helikedthemimmensely。"Hervoicewassoftandsad。
UnconsciouslyBarrylethiseyesfalltotheblackbandonherarm。
"HewaswiththeCanadians，too，whenhewaskilledatArmentieres，threemonthsago。"
"Killed！"exclaimedBarry。"Oh，Iamsosorryforyou。"
"Ihadtwobrothers，"shewenton，inhergentleeventone。"OnewaskilledatLandrecies，ontheretreatfromMons，youknow。"
"No，"saidBarry，"I’mafraidIdon’tknowaboutit。Tellme！"
"Itwasagreatfight，"saidthegirl。"Oh，asplendidfight！"A
ringcameintohervoiceandalittlecolourintohercheek。"Theytriedtorushourmen，buttheycouldn’t。Myoldestbrotherwasthereinchargeofamachinegunsection。Themachinegunsdidwonderfulwork。Thecolonelcametotellusaboutit。Hesaiditwasveryfine。"Therewasnosignoftearsinhereyes，nortremorinhervoice，onlytendernessandpride。
"Andyourmotherisalonenow？"inquiredBarry。
"Oh，wegaveupourhousetothegovernmentforahospital。Yousee，fatherwasinmunitions。He’stoooldforactiveservice，andmotherismatroninthehospital。ShewasveryunwillingthatI
shouldcomeoverhere。ShesaidIwasfartooyoung，butofcoursethat’squitenonsense。Soyousee，weareallinit。"
"Itisperfectlyamazing，"saidBarry。"YouBritishwomenarewonderful！"
Thebrowneyesopenedalittlewider。
"Wonderful？Why，whatelsecouldwedo？ButtheCanadians！I
thinkthey’rewonderful，comingallthiswaytofight。"
"Ican’tseethat，"saidBarry。"That’swhatthatoldnavalboyatDevonportsaid，butIcan’tseethatit’sanythingwonderfulthatweshouldfightforourEmpire。"
"Devonport！Anavalofficer！"Thegirllosthercalm。Shebecameexcited。"Whatwashisname？"
"Ihavehiscardhere，"saidBarry，takingouthispocketbookandhandingherthecard。
"Myuncle！"shecried。"Why，howperfectlysplendid！"offeringBarryherhand。"Why，we’rereallyintroduced。Thenyou’rethemanthatUncleHoward——"Shestoppedabruptly，aflushonhercheek。ThensheturnedtotheN。C。O。"Yes，sergeant，thatwilldo，"asthemanbroughthalfadozenlargebiscuitcansandasmanylargebottlesofpreparedcoffee。
AsBarry’seyesfelluponthebiscuitcansanideacametohim。
"Willthesecansholdwater？"heinquired。
"Yes，sir，"repliedthesergeant。
"Then，we’refixed，"criedBarry，inhighdelight。"Thisisperfectlyfine。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"askedthegirl。
"We’lldumpthebiscuits，andboilthecoffeeinthecans。I
haven’tcampedontheAthabascafornothing。Nowwe’reallrightandIsupposewemustgo。"
TheV。A。D。hesitatedamoment，thenshetookthesergeanttooneside，andenteredintoearnestandpersuasivetalkwithhim。
"It’sagainstregulations，miss，"Barryheardhimsay，"andbesides，youknow，we’reexpectingahospitaltrainanyminute，andeverycarwillbeneeded。"
"ThenI’lltakemyowncar，"shesaid。"It’sallreadyandhasthechainson，sergeant，Ithink。"
"Yes，it’squiteready，butyouwillgetmeintotrouble，miss。"
"Then，I’llgetyououtagain。Loadthosethingsin，whileIrunandchange——I’mgoingtodriveyououttoyourcamp，"shesaidtoBarryasshehurriedaway。
Thesergeantshookhisheadashelookedafterher。
"She’sathoroughbred，sir，"hesaid。"Wejumpwhensheasksusforanything。She’sarealbloodedone；notlikesome，sir——likesomeofthemfullriggedones。Theykeep’er’oppin’。"
"Fullriggedones？"inquiredBarry。
"Themnurses，Imean，sir。Theylovesto’awethem——themyoung’Vaddies，’aswecallthem——V。A。D。，youknow，sir。Theykeeps’ema’oppin’proper——scrubbin’floors，runnin’messages，butMissVincent，shemostlydrivesacar。"
WhilethesergeantwasdilatinguponthevirtuesandexcellencesoftheyoungV。A。D。，hismenranouthercar，andpackedintoitthebiscuittinsandcoffee。Bythetimethesergeantwasreadyshewasback，dressedinachauffeur’suniform。