Her voice rose to a scream
ofexasperation.
Then, in a moment, she went down to her pots again.
Elizabustled about eagerly, pathetically busy, preparing breakfast.
The only sound in the room now was the low rattling
mutter of Bensbreath.
He picked up his greasy black slouch hat, and
jammed it carelesslyupon his head.
He looked up dully and vaguely as his
sonentered.
But we are all part of the Army now;we are all
enlisted in the Service of Liberty. Hes not b-b-buried yet, Luke cried heartily. The
trees dripped wearilyand incessantly. And hes got a good heart, said Bessie
Gant.
Only two or three months, they assured
him.
Helenfollowed her: she was panting with hysteria,
and had begun to wringher big hands.
She bustled awkwardly about, and looked
surprisedand confused when she saw him.
The great beast ofnight prowled softly about the
house. They paused for a moment, whispering, before heentered. N-n-n-now, I wouldnt
stay but a m-m-m-minute, whispered Luke.
Meanwhile, he fed voraciously, and drank gallons of
water in aneffort to increase his poundage. Is it nothere that you must Go Over The
Top? They gave us a vacation, Ben, he said presently.
In a low brooding tone,she continued: Well, forget
about it.
Bessie Gant came down to breakfast and
wasprofessionally encouraging.
They wont even give theGermans a chance to shoot at
me. Dont brag until youve got something out of them.
That boy may behere when the rest of us are pushing
d-d-daisies.
You were willing enough, I notice, to keep her here
and take hermoney until he got sick. I ordered her out, said Eliza grimly, after a
moment. He no longer gasped; he no longer gave signs ofconsciousness or
struggle.
What the hells good has it ever been to any
one?
Bens in that room upstairs, Luke whispered, where
the lightis. Hello, Slats, she said, heartily embracing him. Youdont think Im
grateful to you or the old man for anything, doyou?
You must also eat plenty of good substantial food.
They roared townward through therickety slums at fifty miles an hour.
But in their enormous silence wonder grew. Hes not
b-b-buried yet, Luke cried heartily.
Eugene returned to Pulpit Hill in a fever of war
excitement.
Whatever happens, Ill have no regrets on that
score. But in their enormous silence wonder grew. Then suddenly, with mad brooding
face, she said: Sometimes Ithink I hate her!