The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-30
behind the guy who co1ntsI

behind the guy WLlo COutttSt
 'You know what they're doing now? New enlistees can't marry un- iii they've made one of the first three pay grades. It may be be- cause the brass hats think a sol- dier lower than third can't support a wife. But if you ask me-and I've been in the Army 10 years-tts be- cause wives certainly can play hell with the Army!"
 T suppose they can"
 "The other girl sent her a quick, appraising glance. T hope you won't think I'm putting in wher eI don't beloen. Mrs. Marshall-but just lately I've been hearing that your husbands getting to be a regular guardhouSe lawyer"
 "Guardhouse lawyer? IT don't understand ."
 "You know, lots of wind, not so much behind it. Unco-operative, YOU could call it. Argumentative. Not that he's an out-and-out gold bricker but-well-he hasn't seem. ed so happy in the Army"
 Has he been giving trouble?" Martha asked swiftly.
 "Oh, nothing much. Extra fatigue K. P. But just thought"
 T understand" Martha told her, gratefully. "1-I'll try" Her voice trailed off. She didn't know exactly what she could do about 1t. "1'll find some way"
 She did not connect that with the fact that only few hours later Bill remarked. Funny, you never hear from anyone. should think an old friend might call up some time. Maybe even drive over" His eyes watched her.
 DO you mean Suzanne? Or my landlady?"
 He dropped it. But the next week, he was at 1t again. And now Mar tha realized that this was serious. This was what occupied his mind, when it should be on soldering.
 Bill, why do you keep harping on my old friends? Whats the matter with you?"
 "Oh, I'm just wondering. Like Wednesday. I phoned and you weren't there"
 T happened to be at the drug store, waiting for a prescription"
 why didn't you call back?"
 "You know I don't like to put toll charges on Helen's bill"
 Always have a good excuse, don't you?"
 fore. Do you think I'm stuck, like a vegetable in a stew! All I have to look forward to are these Sunday visits. And now you're-youre-"
 She was suddenly, devastatingly angry. Look here, Bill, this has been on your mind long time. You've kept asking me. Over and over. Last week and the week be- fore. Do you think I'm seeing Paul? Is that it? You're so busy stewing about Paul, you have no time to apply yourself to learning what you were sent here to learn! Stop hint ingl Simply ask me whether I've seen him. I'll tell you.'
 well, have you?"
 "No!" Her fingers were shaking. Don't you believe me? Bill, what's the matter with you I'm doing everything I possibly can to please you. I'm there at Helen'@I'm stuck, like 8 vegetable in & stew! All I have to look forward to are these Sunday visits. And now you're you're"
 50 you're stuck, at Helen's? Not as gay as having dates with Paul, huh?"
 
 She stared at him, aghast. All these weeks, he had been nursing this resentment which she thought was ended. All these weeks, jeal- ousy had been knawing at him. She could see it in his eyes, ugly and angry. He was like 8 stranger.
 Bill" she pleaded, you know I haven't seen Paul since the accident. Why can't you forget it? There's our quarreling over a thing that never meant anything in the first place-a thing that's over, done g