VI

IMAGINARY CONVERSATIONS


I

SCENE. _A field in Flanders. All round the edge are bivouacs,
built of sticks and waterproof sheets. Three men are squatting
round a small fire, waiting for a couple of mess-tins of water
to boil_.

BILL (_gloomily_). The last three of the old lot! Oo's turn next?

FRED. Wot's the bleedin' good of bein' dahn in the mahf abaht it? Give
me the bleedin' 'ump, you do.

JIM. Are we dahn-'earted? Not 'alf, we ain't!

BILL. I don't know as I cares. Git it over, I sez. 'Ave done wiv it!
I dessay as them wot's gone West is better off nor wot we are, arter
all.

JIM. Orlright, old sport, you go an' look for the V.C., and we'll pick
up the bits an' bury 'em nice an' deep!