Bill's feeling towards France was different. He had no love for the place in itself; but considered as a mere means to his great end, it had its uses. Now that he and Alf were back in the grip of the military life, where no man can avoid his neighbor without that neighbor's connivance--and sometimes not even then--he hoped and believed that he would find an early opportunity of obtaining the Button from its unappreciative owner; and then--good by forever to France and all that it stood for. No reference to the Button was ever allowed to creep into his conversation now. The simple-minded Alf, if he noticed this at all, thought it meant that Bill had forgotten about it. But Bill had not forgotten. He was merely biding his time. The battalion was in billets when the two men rejoined it. They reported themselves to C.S.M. French, who directed them to their own platoon. "'Ullo," said Sergeant Lees, when they appeared before him. "So you're back, are yer? Well, just you be'ave yerselves, see? I got as much on me 'ands as I can blinkin' well stand without 'avin' any trouble from you."' They found their own section installed in a small barn. Corporal Greenstock, like his superior, greeted them without enthusiasm. They settled down amid the straw. "Well, and how is Blighty?" asked Private Denham. "All right. I ain't sorry to be back," replied Bill. There were cries of incredulity from the section. "Easy enough to talk," Walls remarked. "Well, it's true." "It won't stay true long, anyhow." "Why not?" "We're off up the line in a few days. Into a lively bit, too." "Ah!" commented Bill. "I thought the sergeant seemed to 'ave something on 'is mind." "But that's not all. We got a new officer." "The devil we 'ave. What's 'e like?" "Wait an' see. You will, fast enough." Alf, who had so far had a listening part only, made a remark. "Cap'en Richards back?" he asked. "A week ago," said the corporal. "But they've took Donaldson away to be O.C. 'A' Company. 'E's a captain now." Alf was much relieved at this information. He had a great admiration for Donaldson, but was afraid of that officer's exceedingly sharp eye and his habit of asking awkward questions. Bill also felt that this latest move of the Powers that were, augured well for his scheme. "'Shun!" yelled Corporal Greenstock suddenly. The section rose to its feet in the straw as Sergeant Lees entered, followed by the platoon commander. Second-Lieutenant Stockley was a man of about forty years of age, as his grizzled hair testified. He was a big man, with a splendid pair of well-drilled shoulders, and a broad chest which showed up to the best advantage an imposing row of medal-ribbons. Altogether he looked, to the casual glance, far more like a distinguished colonel than a junior subaltern. He was, in fact, an ex-sergeant-major, promoted for gallantry in the field.