for the lantern goes out
every few minutes, as four of us cluster around it with our pens and
paper. A puff, a pop, a flicker or two, and it's out. Then laughter,
curses, two or three failures to light the wick, and we're off again for
another short spell. Clay promises that we shall have no trouble with the
lantern after tonight. Some squads have clubbed together to buy acetylene
lanterns, which illuminate the tents most brilliantly; but the cost is
seven dollars, and though our squad has mentioned the luxury, it is
evident that most of the men wish to avoid the extra expense. Though of
course I could buy the thing as a present to the squad, I think it would
rather mar our present feeling of equality. Moreover, there was a trifle
of an explosion in Tent 13 early this evening, after which the new
lantern was thrown away as junk. If I should come again, I should bring
some compact lighting contraption. Meanwhile the little flashlight is
good for searching in one's suit case, and there is always a table and
electric light at the company tent, close by the captain's.

Good-by, with love from

DICK.

PRIVATE GODWIN'S DAILY LETTER

Monday, Sept. 11, 1916.

DEAR MOTHER:--

I began my day with my usual bucket from the tap; there are always early
birds to serve me, and my helper this morning said it made him feel
virtuous just to souse me. I prefer this to the shower baths, which are
much further away. A very few go early to the lake and make parade of it;
said one to his corporal yesterday, finding him crawling from his bed
into his clothes, "My God, man, don't you ever bathe?" But the poor
corporal was still shaking with his typhoid.

Clay, who was up early on mysterious errands in the dusk, has just
brought in boards to lay in front of his cot. Reardon asked, "What are
you going to do on the hike? You'll have to put your feet on the ground."
But Clay evidently likes a bit of luxury, and when he gave me his surplus
boards I found I liked it too, for I prefer keeping my feet out of this
sand, which has a creeping quality and gets everywhere. Out in front of
the tent there had appeared a bench. "Hi!" cried Bannister, "where did
that come from?" Clay said nothing, and Bannister, who appreciated the
new convenience, thought it best to ask no more. I, with a mind on
further conveniences, suggested tha