WHISTON. My rationalism is always being upset! DODD. How exactly? WHISTON. For instance, I simply can't believe that old John is finished. Can you? DODD (_quietly_). No. WHISTON. Funny thing. As far as I'm concerned I can quite imagine myself just snuffing out. You can put one word on my grave, if I have one--"Napu." But as for John, no. I want something else. Something about Death being scored off after all. DODD. I know. "O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy victory?" WHISTON. Just that. Mind you, I don't think I'm afraid of Death. I don't want to get killed. But if I saw him coming I think I could smile, and feel that after all he wasn't getting much of a bargain. But the idea of his getting old John sticks in my gullet. I believe in all sorts of things for him. Resurrection and life and Heaven, and all that. DODD. What do you think about it, Corporal? LANCE-CORPORAL. Same as Mr. Whiston, sir. WHISTON. But what about presentiments? DODD. Oh, I don't know. Funny thing; but all through this fortnight I've been absolutely certain that I was not for it. LANCE-CORPORAL. Beg pardon, sir, we noticed that, sir! WHISTON. Well, it's practically over now. DODD. I'm not so sure. I'm not in a funk, you know. It's simply that I don't feel so sure. WHISTON. Oh, rot, sir! I don't believe in that sort of presentiment. DODD. What do you think, Corporal? LANCE-CORPORAL. I think you goes when your time comes, sir. But it won't come to-night, sir. Not after all we been through this spell, and the spell just finished. DODD. I believe you're right, Corporal. We shall go when our time comes, and not before. I like that idea, you know. It means one hasn't got to worry. WHISTON. If it means that you go on as you've done the last fortnight, it's a damnable doctrine, sir. You've no business to go taking unnecessary risks simply because you've got bitten by Mohammedanism. DODD (_thoughtfully_). You're right, too, Whiston. "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." One shouldn't take unnecessary risks. Mind you, I don't admit that I have. It just enables one to do one's job with a quiet mind, that's all. TWO DAYS LATER SCENE. _A billet._ HANCOCK _and_ SMITH. HANCOCK. Damn! SMITH. What's up? Aren't you satisfied? The brigade's bound to go back and re-form now, and that means that we shan't be in the trenches for a couple of months at least. We may even go where there's a pretty girl or two. My word! HANCOCK. Damnation! SMITH (_genuinely astonished_). What the hell's wrong? Any one would think you liked the trenches! Personally, I don't care if I never see them again. England's full of nice young, bright young things crying to get out. Let 'em all come! They can have my job and welcome! HANCOCK (_to himself_). God! Why Dodd and Whiston? Why, why, why? Why not me? Why just the fellows we can't afford to lose?