guess they choose these camps by mail order. The only place there flat
is on the map. Where our tents is would make a good place for a Rocky
Mountin goat if he didnt break his neck. The first day the Captin came
out an says "Pitch your tents here." Then he went to look for someone
quick before anyone could ask him how. I wish I was a Captin. I guess he
thought we was Alpine Chasers. Eh, Mable? But you probably dont know
what those are.

Honest, Mable, if Id put in the work I done last week on the Panamah
Canal it would have been workin long before it was. Of course there was
a lot of fellos there with me but it seemed like all they did was to
stand round and hand me shovels when I wore em out.

The Captin appresheates me though. The other day he watched me work
awhile and then he says "Smith." He calls me Smith now. We got very
friendly since I been nice to him. I noticed none of the other fellos
had much to say to him. I felt kind of sorry for him. Hes a human bein
even if he is a Captin, Mable. So every time I saw him I used to stop
him and talk to him. Democratic. Thats me all over, Mable. "Smith" he
says "If they was all like you round here war would be hell, no joke."
By which he meant that we would make it hot for the Boshes.

I been feelin awful sorry for you, Mable. What with missin me and your
fathers liver gone back on him again things must have been awful
lonesome for you. It isnt as if you was a girl what had a lot of fellos
hangin round all the time. Not that you couldnt have em, Mable, but you
dont an theres no use makin no bones about it. If it hadnt been for me I
guess things would have been pretty stupid though I dont begrudge you a
cent. You know how I am with my money. I guess you ought to anyway. Eh,
Mable? Never talk of money matters in connexun with a woman. Thats