"Well，gentlemen，"saidthecolonel，"youhaveallgotyourorders。
　　Doesanyonewanttoaskaquestion？Well，then，it’sprettysimpleafterall。TwocompaniesadvanceasfarasMapleCopse，andgraduallyworkupuntiltheyfeeltheenemy，thenputinablockandholdagainstattack，atallcosts。TheothertwocompaniesaretofollowupinsupportatZillebeckVillage。Lateron，whenourreservescomeup，andwhenourgunsreturn——Iheartheyarepushingthemuprapidly——wearepromisedagoatthosedevils。Meantimewehavegottoholdon，butIexpectthebattalionwillbepulledoutveryshortly。"
　　Theflickeringcandleslitupthefacesofthemencrowdingthedugout。Theywereelaboratelycarelessandjolly，buttheireyesbeliedtheirfaces。Underthecarelessairtherewasatenseandsternlookofexpectation。Theywereallsportsmen，andhadallexperiencedtheanxiousnervousthrillofthemomentsprecedingabigcontest。Oncetheballwasoff，theirnervousnesswouldgo，andtheywouldbecoolandwary，playingthegameforalltheyhadinthem。
　　"Now，gentlemen，"saidthecolonel，astheypreparedtoleavethedugout，"beforeIletyougo，thereisonethingIwanttosay。
　　It’satraditionoftheBritisharmythatanysoldierorofficerwhohaslosthisunitmarchestowardthesoundoftheguns。Iamproudto—nightthatwehaveanexampleofthatoldtraditionhere。
　　Weleftourchaplainbehind，andhedidn’tknowwherehisbattalionhadgone，buthemovedtowardthesoundoftheguns。ThatiswhatIwouldexpectfromanyofyou，gentlemen，butit’snonethelessgratifyingtofindone’sexpectationsrealised。"
　　OnlyhisflamingfacerevealedBarry’semotionasthecolonelwasspeaking。
　　"Nowthen，gentlemen，carryon，andthebestofluck。"
　　"Sir，"saidBarry，"whataboutalittleprayer？"
　　"Fine，"saidthecolonelheartily，whileroundtheroomthereranamurmurofapproval。
　　BarrypulledouthislittleBibleandread，notoneofthe"fightingpsalms"butthetenderlyexquisitewordsoftheShepherd’ssong。Hisvoicewasclear，steadyandringingwithcheeryconfidence。Hisprayerwasinthespiritofthepsalm，breathinghighcourageandcalmtrust，eveninthepresenceoftheultimateissue。
　　InasinglesentencehecommendedhiscomradestothekeepingoftheEternalGodofTruthandJusticeandMercy，askingthattheymightbefoundsteadfastintheirhouroftestingandworthyoftheircountryandtheircause。
　　TogethertheyjoinedintheLord’sprayer；thenliftingoverthemhishands，heclosedthelittleservicewiththatancientandbeautifulformulaofblessing，whichfortwothousandyearshassentmenoutfromtheHolyPlaceofMeetingtofacewithheartsresolvedwhateverlifemightholdforthem。
　　Onebyone，astheypassedouttheofficersshookhandswithBarry，thankinghimfortheservice，andexpressingtheirdelightthathewaswiththemagain。
　　"Whatarewegoingtodowithyou，Pilot？"inquiredthecolonel。
　　"IthoughtI’dstickaroundwiththeboys，"saidBarry。
　　"Well，"saidthecolonel，gravely，"ofcourse，there’snouseofyourgoinguptotheattack。Youwouldonlybeintheway。Youwouldbeanembarrassmenttotheofficers。Thatremindsme，therewasacallfromMeninMillforyouthisafternoon。Theyarehavinganawfulrushthere。OurownR。A。P。willbeinZillebeckVillage，andourHeadquarterswillbethere。"
　　"I’llgothere，sir，ifyouagree，"saidBarry，andaftersomediscussionthematterwassoarranged。
　　InaruinedcellarinthevillageofZillebeck，amileandahalffurtherin，theR。A。P。wasestablishedandtherecarriedonduringthedesperatefightingofthenextthreedays。Throughthispostacontinuousstreamofwoundedpassed，thestretchercasesallnight，thewalkingcasesalldayandallnight。InspiteofitsscenesofhorrorandsufferingtheR。A。P。wasacheeryspot。ThenewM。O。wasstrangetohisfrontlinebusiness，buthewasoftherightstuff，cool，quickwithhisfingers，andundisturbedbythecrashingofburstingshells。Thestretcherbearersandeventhewoundedmaintainedanairofresolutecheeriness，thathelpedtomakebearablewhatotherwisewouldhavebeenanightmareofunspeakablehorror。AttachedtotheR。A。P。wasanouterbuildingwhereinthewoundedmenwerelaidaftertreatment。Thitherinapauseofhiswork，Barrywouldruntoadministerdrinks，easethestrainofanawkwardposition，speakawordofcheer，sayaprayer，orsingsnatchesofahymnorpsalm。Therewaslittleleisureforreflection，noriftherehadbeenwouldhehaveindulgedinreflection，knowingwellthatonlythuscouldhemaintainhisself—
　　controland"carryon。"
　　Witheachwoundedmantherecamenewsoftheprogressofthefighting。Theboyswereholdingsplendidly，indeedweregraduallyeatingintotheenemyfront。Theybroughtweirdstoriesofhiscomrades，incidentspathetic，humorous，heroic，accordingtothetemperamentofthenarrator。ButfrommorethanonesourcecametalesofKnight’smachinegunsectiontowhichMcCuaigwasattached。Knighthimselfhadbeenkilledsoonafterenteringtheline，andabouthismenconflictingtalesweretold：theywereholdingastrongpoint，theywereblownup，theyhadshiftedtheirposition，theywerewipedout，theywerestill"carryingon。"
　　McCuaigwastheheroofeverytale。Hewashavingthetimeofhislife。Hehadgonequitemad。Hewasforgoing"outandover"
　　alone。
　　ThefirstauthenticaccountcamewithyoungPickles，nowarunner，whomadehiswayhobblingtoHeadquarterswithamessagefromA
　　Company，andwhoreportedthathehadfalleninwithMcCuaigbytheway，andbyhimhadbeencommandeeredtocarryammunition，underthreatofinstantdeath。
　　"WheredidyouseeMcCuaigfirst，Pickles？"Barryinquired，anxioustolearnthetruthabouthisfriend。
　　"WayupLover’sWalk，"saidyoungPickles，whowasinhighspirits，"underapileofbrushandtrees。Ithoughitwasawildcat，orsomethingmovingandsnarling——thelightwaskindofdim——andwhenIwentuptherewasMcCuaig。Hewasalone。Twoorthreemenwerelyingnearhim，dead，Iguess，andhewasswearing，andtalkingtohimselfsomethingfierce。Iwasscartstiffwhenhecalledmetohim。Iwentover，andhesaystome，’Say，youngster，’justlikethat，’youknowwherethiswalkusedtodropdownintothetrench？
　　Well，there’salotofmachinegunammunitionoverthere，allfixedupandready。Yougoandbringituphere。’Itriedtogetoutofit，sayin’Iwasbringinga’hurryup’messagedown，butheturnshismachinegunonme，andsays，’Youngman，it’sonlyacoupleofhundredyardsdownthere，andfairlygoodcover。Theycan’tseeyou。Goandbringthatstuffhere。Ifyoudon’tI’llblowyoutohelljustwhereyoustand。’YoubetIpromised。Igotthatammunitionsoquick。Oh，ofcourse，he’scrazy，allright，"saidyoungPickles，"butheisfightinglikehell。Ibegpardon，sir。"
　　"Doctor，I’mgoingafterhim，"saidBarry。"Hewillstaythereuntilhebleedstodeath。Heismyoldestfriend。"
　　"Allright，padre，ifyousayso，"saidtheM。O。，"butit’sanastyjob。Ishouldnotcareforit。"
　　Barryknewtheareathoroughly。HegotfromyoungPicklesanexactdescriptionofthelocationofthespotwhereMcCuaighadlastbeenseen，andwiththereturningstretcherbearerssetoffforthewood，whichwasaboutathousandyardsfurtheron。
　　Thecommunicationtrenchleadinguptothewood，whichhadbeenconstructedwithsuchcareandofwhichtheCanadiansweresoproud，hadbeenblownupfromendtoendbythesystematicandthoroughbombardmentofthethreedaysbefore。Thelittleparty，therefore，wereforcedtomaketheirwayoverlandbythelightofthestarshells。
　　Theyreachedthewoodinsafety。Barrylookedabouthiminutterbewilderment。Everyfamiliarfeatureofthelandscapewasutterlyblottedout。Thebeautifulambrosialwooditself，ofheavytreesandthicktinder—brush，wasamatoftangledtrunks，abovewhichstoodsplinteredstubs。Notatree，notabranch，hardlyagreenleafwasleft。UnderthatmatoffallentrunkswereAandC
　　Companies，somewhere，holding，blocking，feelinguptowardtheHun。
　　Theshellswerewhiningoverhead，goingoutandcomingin，butmostlycomingin。None，however，werefallingonthewoodbecauseherefriendandfoewerelyingalmostwithinbayonetlengthofeachother。Onlyanoccasionalburstfromamachinegunbrokethesilencethathungoverthisplaceofdesolationanddeath。
　　"That’sthecompanyHeadquarters，"saidthestretcherbearer，pointingtowhatlookedlikeabearden，undersomefallentrees。
　　Barrypushedasidetheblanketandpokinghisheadin，foundDuffandayounglieutenantworkingatatablebythelightofagutteringcandle。
　　"FortheloveofGod，Pilot，"exclaimedDuff，springingupandgrippingBarry’shand，"it’sgoodtoseeyou，butwhatareyoudoinghere？"
　　"IcameupforMcCuaig，"saidBarry，afterawarmgreetingtoboth。
　　"Oh，say，that’sgood。Wehavegothimasfarasthenextdugouthere，theoldbear。I’vebeentryingtogethimoutforhalfaday。There’sasoldierforyou！He’sbeenpottingBocheswithhisblessedmachinegun，scoutingfromoneholetoanotherforthelasttwodays，andhe’sgotanastywound。I’mawfullygladyouhavecome。"
　　"Howarethingsgoing，Duff？"
　　"Wehavegotthe————ssothattheycan’tmoveafoot，andwe’llholdthem，unlesstheybringupalotofreserves。"
　　"ByJove！Duff，youboysarewonderful。"
　　"Isay，"saidDuff，brushingasidethecompliment，"didyoungPicklesgetthrough？Thatyoungdevilisthelimit。You’dhavethoughthewashuntingcoyotes。"
　　"Yes，hegotthrough。Gotablightythough，Iguess。ItwashethattoldmeaboutMcCuaig。"
　　"Well，Pilot，oldman，"saidDuff，takinghimbythearm，"getout！
　　Getout！Don’twastetime。Theremaybeabreakanyminute。Getoutofhere。"
　　Duffwasevidentlyinafeverofanxiety。"Youhadnorighttocomeuphereanyway；though，byJove，I’mgladtoseeyou。"
　　"What’sthefuss，Duff？"saidBarry。"AmIinanymoredangerthanyou？Isay，"hecontinued，withtenseenthusiasm，"doyourealise，Duff，thataslongasCanadalaststheywilltalkofwhatyouaredoingupherethesedays？"
　　"ForHeaven’ssake，Pilot，getout，"saidDuffcrossly。"Youmakemenervous。Besides，youhavegottogetthatwoundedmanout，youknow。Comealong。"
　　HehustledBarryoutandovertotheneighbouringdugout，wheretheyfoundMcCuaigwithhisbelovedmachinegunstillathisside。
　　Thewoundedmanwasverypale，butextremelycheerful，smokingacigarette。
　　"I’mgladtoseeyou，sir，"hesaidquietly，reachingouthishand。
　　"Goodoldman，"saidBarry，grippinghishandhard，"butyouareablamedoldfool，youknow。"
　　McCuaigmadenoreply，buttherewasahappylightonhisface。
　　UnderDuff’scompellingurgingtheygotthewoundedmanonastretcherandstartedontheirlongandpainfulcarry。
　　"Now，boys，"warnedDuff，"youareallrightuphere，exceptformachineguns，butdon’ttakeanychancesfurtherout。That’swherethedangeris。Whentheshellscome，don’trushthings。Takeyourtime。Now，good—bye，Pilot，it’sworthalottohaveseenyouanyway。"
　　"Good—bye，oldman，"saidBarry，smilingathim。"You’rethestuff。Goodluck，oldman。Godkeepyou。"
　　Duffnodded，andwavedhimaway。Thereturntripwasmadeincomparativequiet。
　　"Whatdoyouthink，doctor？"saidBarry，aftertheM。O。hadcompletedhisexamination。
　　"Oh，we’llpullhimthroughallright，"saidtheM。O。"Whendidyougetthis，McCuaig？"hecontinued，touchingasmallwoundoverthekidney。
　　"Dunno，rightly。GuessIgotitwhenwewasblownup，yesterday。"
　　"Thenwhydidn’tyoucomeinatonce？"inquiredtheM。O。
　　indignantly。
　　McCuaiglookedathiminmildsurprise。
　　"Why，theywasallblownup，andtherewasn’tanybodytorunthegun。"
　　TheM。O。examinedthewoundmorecloselyandshookhisheadatBarry。
　　"Wewon’ttouchthatnow。We’lljustbandageitup。Areyoufeelingprettycomfortable？"
　　"Fine，"saidMcCuaigwithcheerfulsatisfaction。"Weheldthemup，Iguess。Theythoughttheywasgoingtowalkrightoverus。Theywascomin’withtheirpacksontheirbacks。Buttheboyschangedtheirmindsforthem，Iguess。"
　　Areminiscentsmilelingereduponthelong，eaglelikeface。
　　HalfanhourlaterBarryfoundaminutetorunintotheadjoiningroomwherethewoundedlay。
　　"Anythingyouwant，McCuaig？"heasked。
　　"Adrink，ifyouain’ttoobusy，butIhatetotakeyourtime。"
　　"Oh，yougotothunder，"saidBarry。"Takemytime！WhatamI
　　for？Anypain，Mac？"
　　"No，notmuch。I’malittlesleepy。"
　　Barryturnedtheflash—lightonhisface。Hewasstartledtofinditgreyanddrawn。HebroughttheM。O。，whoexaminedthewoundedman’scondition。
　　"Nopain，eh，Mac？"
　　"No，sir，"saidMcCuaigcheerfully。
　　"Allright，boy，justliestill，"saidtheM。O。，beckoningBarryafterhim。
　　"Heisgoingout，"hesaidwhentheyreachedthedressingroom，"andhe’sgoingfast。Thatwoundinthebackhasbeenbleedingalongtime。"
　　"Oh，doctor，can’tanythingbedone？Youknowhe’sgotaremarkableconstitution。Can’tsomethingbedone？"
　　"Therearetimeswhenadoctorwisheshehadsomeotherjob，"saidtheM。O。，"andthisisoneofthem。"
　　"Isay，doctor，willyougetalongwithoutmeforawhile？"saidBarry。
　　"Goon，"saidtheM。O。，noddingtohim。
　　Barrytookacandleandwentinbesidehisfriend。Ashesattheregazinguponthegreyingface，thewoundedmanopenedhiseyes。
　　"Thatyou，Barry？"heaskedwithaquietsmile。
　　Barrystarted。OnlyintheveryfirstweeksoftheiracquaintancehadMcCuaigcalledhimbyhisfirstname，andneverduringthepastmonthshadbeusedanythingbuthisranktitle。Nowallrankdistinctionswereobliterated。Theywereasmantoman。
　　"Yes，Mac，it’sme。DoyouknowwhatIwasthinkingabout？IwasthinkingofthefirsttimeIsawyoucomingdownthatrapidinyourcanoe。"
　　"Irememberwell，Barry。Ioftenthinkofit。It’salongtimeago，"saidMcCuaiginhissoft，slowvoice。"I’veneverbeensorrybutoncethatIcome，andthattimeitwasmyownfault，butI
　　didn’tunderstandthegame。"
　　"You’vemadeagreatsoldier，Mac。Weareallproudofyou，"saidBarry，puttinghishanduponMcCuaig’s。McCuaig’slongthinfingerstighteneduponBarry’shand。
　　"IthinkI’mgoingout，"hesaid，withhiseyesonBarry’sface。
　　"Whatdoyouthink？"
　　Itwasthetimefortruthtelling。
　　"Oh，Mac，oldman，"saidBarry，puttinghisheaddownclosetohimtohidefromhimtherushoftearsthatcametohiseyes，"I’mafraidyouare，andIhatetohaveyougo。"
　　"Why，Barry，youcryingforme？"askedMcCuaiginakindofwonder。
　　"Say，boy，I’mawfulgladyoufeelthatway。SomehowIdon’tfeelquitesolonelynow。"
　　"Oh，Mac，youaremyoldest，mybestfriendinthebattalion，inalltheworld，"saidBarry。
　　"Oh，Ijustlovetohearyousaythat，boy。DoyouknowIwantedtotellyouhowIfeltaboutthattimeontheboat，youremember？"
　　Barrynodded。"Barry，tellme，honestInjun，didImakegoodasasoldier？"
　　"Thebestever，"saidBarry。"Theyallsayso，officersandmen。
　　Iheardthecolonelsaysotheotherday。"
　　Againthesmilecame。
　　"Barry，itwasyouthatdonethatforme。Youshowedme，andyoudoneitsonice。Ineverforgotthat，andIalwayswantedtotellyouhowIfeltaboutit。Barry，youdonealotforme。"
　　"Oh，Mac，don’ttalklikethat，"saidBarry，tryingtokeephisvoicesteady。"IdidsolittleandIwantedtodosomuch。"
　　"Say，Iliketohearyou。I’dliketostayalittlelongerjusttobewithyou，Barry。I’vewatchedyoujustlikeyouwasmyownboy，andI’vebeenawfulproudofyou，butIdidn’tliketosayso。"
　　Theuncoveringofthegreatloveofthissimple，humbleheartedmanbrokedownBarry’sself—control。Hemadenoefforttocheckhisfallingtears。
　　"I’mgetting——kindofweak，Barry，"whisperedMcCuaig。"IguessI
　　won’tbelong，mebbe。"
　　HiswordsrecalledBarry’snerve。
　　"Mac，wouldyoulikemetosayaprayer？"heasked。"Justasyoufeelaboutit，youknow。"
　　"Yes——Iwould——butIain’t——yourreligion——youknow——though——I
　　like——awfulwell——theway——youtalkabout——Him。"
　　"IknowyouareR。C。，Mac，butafterallyouknowwehavejusttheoneFatherinHeavenandtheoneSaviour。"
　　"Yes，——Iknow，Barry。It’sallthesame。"
　　Barryhadasuddeninspiration。
　　"Wait，Mac，aminute，"hesaid。
　　Hehurriedouttothedressingroom，seekingacrucifix，butcouldfindnonethere。
　　"I’llrunacrosstoHeadquarters，"hesaid。
　　"Say，there’samachinegunplayingthatstreetawful，"saidtheM。O。’ssergeant，"tosaynothingofwhizzbangs。"
　　"Oh，that’sallright，"saidBarry。"I’llmakeadashforit。"
　　ButatHeadquartershewasnomoresuccessful。HewentoutintothegardenintherearoftheR。A。P。，andreturnedwithtwosmalltwigs。TheM。O。boundthemtogetherintheformofacross。
　　BarrytookitandhastenedtoMcCuaig’sside。
　　Thehurriedbreathingandsunkencheeksofthewoundedmanshowedthattheendwasnotfar。AsBarrykneltbesidehim，heopenedhiseyes。Therewasalookofdistressuponhisface，whichBarryunderstood。Godwasnear。AndGodwasterrible。Hewantedhispriest。
　　"Barry，"hewhispered，"I’venot——beenagoodman。Ihaven’tbeen——
　　meantoanybody，——butIused——toswear——andfight，and——"
　　"Mac，listentome。We’reallthesame，"saidBarry，inaquiet，clearvoice。"SupposeI’dinjuredyou。"
　　"Youwouldn’t——Barry。"
　　"ButsupposeIdidsomerealmeanthingtoyou，andthencameandsaidIwassorry，wouldyouforgiveme？"
　　"WouldI——I’dneverthink——ofanything——youdid——tome，Barry。"
　　"Mac，that’sthewayyourFatherinHeavenfeelstoyou。Wehavealldonewrong，butHesays，’Iwillblotoutallyoursins。’Youneedn’tfeartotrustHim，Mac。"
　　"Iguess——that’sso，Barry——Iguessthat’s——allright。"
　　"Yes，it’sallright。NowI’llsayaprayer。Look，Mac！"
　　Heheldupthelittlewoodencrossbeforehiseyes。Asmileofjoyandsurprisetransfiguredthedyingface。
　　"Iseeit！——Isee——it！"hewhispered，andmadeamovementwithhislips。Barrylaidthecrossuponthem，andwiththatsymboloftheDivineloveandoftheDivinesacrificepressedtothedyinglips，heprayedinwordssuchasachildmightuse。
　　ForsometimeaftertheprayerMcCuaiglaywithhiseyesshut，thenwithasuddenaccessionofstrength，heopenedthemandlookingupintoBarry’seyes，said：
　　"Barry，I’mallrightnow……Youhelpedmeagain。"
　　Thelongthinhands，onceofsuchironstrength，begantowanderweaklyovertheblanket，untiltouchingBarry’stheycloseduponit，andhelditfast。
　　"I——won’t——forget——you——ever——"hewhispered。ThenervelessfingerswithdifficultyliftedBarry’shandtothecoldlips。
　　"Good——bye——Bar——ry——"hesaid。
　　"Good—bye，dearoldcomrade。Good—bye，dearoldfriend，"saidBarryinaclearquietvoice，gazingthroughhisfallingtearsstraightintothedyingeyes。
　　"Good——night——"Thewhisperfadedintosilence。Aquietsmilelayonthewhiteface。Theeyesclosed，therewasalittletiredsigh，andthebravetenderspiritpassedontojointhatnoblecompanyofimmortalswhoabideinthePresenceoftheEternalGodofTruthandLove，and"gonomoreoutforever，"becausetheyareakintoHim。
　　Inthesorelytorturedgraveyard，besidethelittleshell—wreckedZillebeckchurch，inaholemadebyanenemyshell，theylaidMcCuaig——afittingrestingplaceforonewhohadlivedhisdaysinthefreewildspacesoftheCanadianwest，afittingtombforasgallantasoldierasCanadaeversentforthtowartomaketheworldfree。
　　Thatnightthebattalionwasrelieved。Worn，spent，butwithspiritunbroken，theycrawledoutfromunderthatmattedmassoftangledtrunks，sendingouttheirwoundedbeforethem，andleavingtheirburieddeadbehindthem，toholdwithotherCanadiandeadthelinewhichfromSt。Julien，byHooge，SanctuaryWood，andMapleCopse，andMountSorel，andHill60，andontoSt。Eloi，guardsthewaytoYpresandtothesea。ToCanadaeveryfootofhergreatdomain，fromseatosea，isdear，butwhiletimeshalllastCanadawillholddearasherownthatbloodsoakedsacredsoilwhichherdeadbattalionsholdforHonour，FaithandFreedom。
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　LONDONLEAVEANDPHYLLIS
　　TheleavetrainpulledintotheBoulognestationexactlytwenty—sixhourslate。AsBarrysteppedoffthetrainhewasmetbytheR。T。O。，anoldImperialofficerwithabriskandimportantmilitarymanner。
　　"YouaretheO。C。train，sir？"heinquired。
　　"Iam，sir，"repliedBarry，saluting。
　　"Youhavehadahardtime，Iunderstand，"saidtheR。T。O。，drawinghimofftoonesideandspeakinginalowtone。
　　"Yessir，weHAVEhadahardtime，"repliedBarry，"atleastthemenhave。Thisismyreport，sir。"
　　TheR。T。O。tookthedocument，openedit，glancedhurriedlythroughit。
　　"Ah，"hesaid，"ninety—sevencasualties，thirteenfatal。Verybad。
　　Sixburned。Thisistrulyterrible。"
　　"Therewereonlytwosoldiersburned，sir，"repliedBarry，"butitISterrible，especiallywhenyouthinkthatthemenweregoingonleaveandweresupposedtohavegotquitofthedangerzone。"
　　"Very，veryterrible，"saidtheofficer。"Youranoffthetrack，I
　　understand。"
　　"No，sir，itwasacollision。Theremusthavebeengrosscarelessness，sir，"saidBarry。"Itrusttherewillbeaninvestigation。Ihavetakenthelibertytosuggestthat，sir，inmyreport。"
　　Barry’svoicewasstern。
　　"Youneedhavenoapprehensiononthatscore，sir，"saidtheR。T。O。，withhiseyesstilluponthereport。"Thisisveryclearandconcise。Iseeyoumakenomentionofyourownservicesinconnectionwiththeaffair，butothershave。IhavehadamostflatteringtelegramfromtheofficercommandingtheR。A。M。C。，asalsofromtheDivisionalCommander，mentioningyourinitiativeandresourcefulness。Iassureyouthiswillnotbeforgotten。I
　　understandyouareapadre？"
　　"Yes，sir，"repliedBarry，whowasgettingratherwearyoftheconversation。
　　"AllIhavetosay，then，sir，isthattheCanadianarmymustberichincombatantofficersfor，ifyouwillpardonme，itstrikesmethatthereisadamnedgoodcombatantofficerlostinyou。"
　　"IfIwereabetterpadre，"repliedBarry，"Iwouldbecontent。"
　　"Ifancyyouhavelittlegroundforcomplaintonthatscore，"saidtheR。T。O。，forthefirsttimesmilingathim。
　　"MayIask，sir，"repliedBarry，"ifmyresponsibilityendshere？"
　　"Yes，unlessyouwanttotakechargeoftheboat。"
　　"I’drathernot，sir，ifyouplease。Howlongbeforeshesails？"
　　"Aboutthreehours。Haveyouanythingtodo？"
　　"IshouldliketovisittheR。A。M。C。hospital。IshouldalsoliketophonetheAmericanhospitalatEtaples。"
　　"Verywell，youcaneasilydoboth。Iwillrunyouupinmycar，ifyoucaretowaitafewmomentsuntilIputthroughsomelittlemattershere。Thenifyouwillbegoodenoughtojoinmeatbreakfast，Icandriveyouupafterwardstothehospital。Thisismycar。Ithinkyouhadbetterstepinandsitdown；youlookratherusedup。"