CHAPTER IX
BETWEEN THE LINES
WE descended, wondering what the officer had meant. It had not occurred to me that I could go beyond the front line, nor was I quite sure I wished such a privilege to develop.
We slipped from covered communication into a chalky wet space between the parapet and a shell-gouged railroad embankment. In the lee of the embankment blue-clothed soldiers shivered, seeking what shelter there was. Our little party broke the monotony for them. They straightened, and, smiling, spoke to each other with voices that were never audible to us. They were like a party of men playing a game of hide-and-seek, exuding a breathless excitement at the imminence of discovery.
A line captain consulted with our staff officer. His desire to be hospitable shone in his round and pleasant face. The staff man came forward.
“The captain," he said, “wants to do something for you."
We were appreciative and curious.
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