Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-10

fellow Raleigh seemed to be,
but checked his words at the sight of
Stanhope's face. He was often moody
nowadays, which was not surprising,
but this arrival of Raleigh had OBJ
viously upset him very seriously indeed.
Osborne was wondering about 1t when
Mason appeared at his dugout door.
will you take apricots, sir?"
mo, thanks"
'Mr. Osborne?"
mo, thanks"
I'm sorry about them being apricots,
sir. explained to Mr.. Osborne"
That's all right. Mason, thank you"
The tone of weary patience might 30
easily have changed to one OF anger,
that Mason gave up the attempt to ex-
cuse himself, and disappeared hastily.
What about beds?" asked Osborne.
"Will you sleep over in the corner2
That was Hardys bed, and it's in rela-
lively decent condition"
Stanhope shook his head. mo. You
sleep there. I'd rather sleep by the
table here. can get up and do O spot
Of work without disturbing you"
Osborne walked over to the bed in the
corner and tested its wire netting oovsr-
ing. ''This II 0 better one"
you take It," the other 3ngigtad
Must have little comfort IN your old
age, Uncle"
Osborne turned back 10 the table.
He was always q little frightened Of
''lecturtng" people, and he tried hard
at times to forget that he had ever
could make Stanhope listen to him.
"Look here" he began, why don't you
get little comfort? I wish you'd turn
In and sleep for a bit"
sleep? I can't Sleep" He took up
the whisky bottle and poured some
carelessly into his tin mug. Osborne
knew the futility Of protesting. When
Stanfope was In q state like this op-
position did no good at all.
AS Stanhope put the empty mug back
on the table, HILBERT came down from
the trench. He was even more pale
than usual, and when he came into
the feeble light of the candles he put
his hand up to his forehead and rubbed
It gently, as though to smooth away
some pain. Small, slightly built, and
narrow shouldered, he was as unlike
could well be, and only this national
emergency which dressed almost every
man in khaki saved him from being
inconspicuous.
Stanhope stared at him. "WeIl,
Hibbert?" he said queStioningly.
"Everythings fairly quiet. Bit Of
sniping somewhere TO our left and one
on our right"
IT see. Mason's got your supper"
Hilbert gently massaged his forehead
again Il don't think 1 can manage
any supper tonight. Stanhope. It's this
beastly neuralgia. 1t seems to get right
inside this eye. The beastly pain gets
worse every day"
Stanhope spoke in matter-of-fact
tone. Some hot soup and good tough
chopll put that right"
I'm afraid the pain rather takes my
appetite away" AS the other made no
sign, HILBERT went on: I'm damned
sorry to keep on talking about 1t, STAN
hope, only thought you'd wonder why
don't eat anything much"
"Try and forget about it."
Hilbert laughed, without appreciation.
swell ! wish l could
Get tight" advised Stanhope, with
O gesture Of Impotence.
II think I'll turn straight in for Q
rest and try to get some sleep"
"All right" sighed the other Turn
in, then. You're in that dugout there,
through the tunnel, and Trotter dumped
your pack in that corner. You 60 on
duty at two I take over from you At
four I'll tell Mason to call you"
HILBERT muttered a faint "Cheero,"
took new candle that was lying on
the table, lit it over another candle,
and disappeared, with his slow, shut
fling walk, into his own dugout.
Stanhope shrugged his shoulders
angrily, and turned TO Osborne. AN
other little worm trying to wriggle
home" he said.
Osborne filled his pipe with that care