front of me were like those of angry demons. I'm
ashamed that their toy soldiering was so real to them that it [the word
_frightened_ evidently crossed out] was too much for me, and I turned
away and put my hands to my ears.

Then it was all over. I heard them crying "Halt!" and walked out into the
open trench, to see a line of men laughing and panting just above me.
Only a few saw me at first; the rest were saying "That was some charge!"
and similar self-praise. I said, "Will you please help me out?" The men
nearest me were very respectful. One leaped down beside me, laid down his
gun, and held his hands for me to step in, a blond man, a real soldier,
with flashing blue eyes. Half a dozen hands were held for me above, and
the captain came pushing in to help, with such an anxious face! But I
heard someone say, "Give me your hand, Vera!" and there was Dick! He and
the blond man had me out in a moment, and Dick took me through the line
and got me quickly away toward the road I had left. I sent him back, but
he would not leave me till he was sure I was all right. He was very
handsome, and grave, and respectful. And oh! wasn't it all stupid? I am
disgusted with the whole Tenth Training Regiment, but more disgusted with
myself.

EXTRACT FROM PRIVATE GODWIN'S DAILY LETTER,
OF THE SAME DATE

... The fellows' eyes popped as I took Vera through the line. She _is_ a
stunner! I saluted the captain when I went back, and he did not ask me to
explain why I took so much on myself, though the lieutenant, who came too
late, I think was furious with me. We yanked Knudsen out of the trench,
and the captain, forming us instantly, marched us away in the direction
that Vera didn't take. When he gave us rest she was clean out of sight,
and we lay down in the bushes and loafed for a while.

Nobody in the squad asked me a question. Young David's face was a study
in ignorance, but of course it was he who let the others know that I was
to be let alone. From his squad Randall began to throw remarks at me, but
Pickle turned on him very savagely. "Oh, yap, yap, yap!" Captain Kirby
when he went by looked at me very intently, and I looked straight back at
him. But I couldn't look at any of the other fellows. Curious that a man
feels so self-conscious. You women know how to pretend, but few of us
seem to manage it.

Yet I wasn't sorry it came about so. The squad stands together on
anything that happens to any one of us. I felt proud to be