Part 28 (1/2)
”Allowed to 'ave peace in that place! No fear; the Boches began to shell us, and they sent over fifty shells in 'arf an 'our All troops were ordered to leave the town and ith the rest to a 'orsp under canvas in X----
”A nice quiet place X---- was,with two others in a bell-tent and 'ere we began to get better Our clothes were taken fros and put into a locker I don't knohat I was thinking of when I let the fags go There was one feller as had two francs in his trousers' pocket when 'e gave 'is trousers in and 'e got the wrong trousers back 'E discovered that one day when 'e was goin' to send the RAMC orderly out for beer for all 'ands
”'Twas a 'ungry place X We were eight days in bed and all we got was s they were; (p 276) they ot into trouble once; I cli onand I landed on Ted Vittle's bread basket 'Is tempratoor was up to a 'undred and one point five next ive me a look when 'e 'eard about me bein' up the pole”
”Was he a nice fellow, the doctor?” I asked
”Not 'arf, 'e wasn't,” said Bill ”When I got into my old uniform 'e looked 'ard at 's Then 'e arst me: ''Ave yer seen ht so,' 'e said, 'judgin' by yer cap' And 'e told the orderly to indent et a drink when I was leavin'”
”Soft-hearted fellow,” said Goliath
”Was he!” remarked Bill ”Yer should be there when 'e came in one mornin'”
”'Ow d'ye feel?” he asked Ted Vittle
”Not fit at all, sir,” says Ted
”Well carry on,” said the doctor
I looked at Ted, Ted looked at me and 'e tipped me the wink (p 277)
”'Ow d'ye feel,” said the doctor to me
”Not fit at all,” I answers
”Back to duties,” 'e said and my jaw dropped with a click like a rifle bolt 'Twas ten ave les, 'im that ounded at Givenchy;” Bill inforarette
”'Ole Spud!”
”'Ows Spud?”
”Not so bad, yer know,” said Bill, answering our last question ”'E's got a job”
”A good one?” I queried
”Not 'arf,” Bill said ”'E goes round with the oes to places where soldiers are billeted and gathers up all the a worth anything that's left behind--”
”Bill Teake Is Bill Teake there?” asked a corporal at the door of the dug-out
”I'm 'ere, old Sawbones,” said Bill, ”wot d'ye want me for?”
”It's your turn on sentry,” said the corporal
”Oh! bliruain It's always soue or another in this cursed place I wonder ill I 'ave the luck to go sick again”
CHAPTER XX (p 279)