"I can no go," stated Ignace automatically. He had said it so many times during the past month that it now fell from his lips like an oft-recited lesson. "So we've heard you remark before," commented Bob lightly. "Never mind, Iggy, you'll soon be over your troubles. Then we'll give you a bang-up blow-out in Tremont to make up for the unhappy past." Pausing in the middle of the company street Bob raised his meat can on high and exclaimed dramatically, "One week from to-day, Ignace So Pulinski, and you shall walk forth under the open sky and from the narrow confines of the company street, shouting 'Free at last! The past is gone and cannot be recalled but the glorious future----'" "I do, som' one see, so say I am the crazy," giggled Ignace. "Come along before someone runs _you_ in for a nut," warned Jimmy, seizing Bob by the arm. "Here comes a shave-tail. Try that lingo on him and see what he says." By "shave-tail" Jimmy referred in Army slang to a "second lieutenant." Four hands went up into prompt action as the lieutenant came within saluting range and passed on. "He just missed my oration," deplored Bob. "Run after him and tell him about it," laughed Roger. "Some other time. I've got to attend a sewing-bee at barracks and I can't play along the way. I've a date with a needle and thread and a few buttons." "With fingers weary and worn, And eye-lids heavy and red, A Sammy sat on his little cot And counted the knots in his thread!" caroled Bob. "That's me; Bobby, the Beautiful Seamstress, or Sewing on Buttons Against Heavy Odds. You certainly learn a lot of useful trades in the Army." Returned to barracks, all four soon busied themselves in the going over of their effects. Saturday morning meant the weekly inspection of their cots and equipment by an officer from the regimental hospital, whose practiced eyes missed nothing in the way of defects. Thus far no one of them had failed to be in readiness for him. Nor did they intend that he should find anything to criticize. Saturday dawned clear and sunny, with only a suspicion of frost in the bracing air. Having obtained leave of absence for the afternoon, the three bunkies started for Glenwood directly after the noon mess, Ignace accompanying them as far as the end of the company street. Arrived at the main street of the drowsy little town, their first move was to find the building which held the Red Cross bazaar. On entering, the three Khaki Boys found the place already well filled with Glenwood civilians and soldiers from Camp Sterling. For an hour or so they amused themselves strolling about the big room, lined on three sides with gaily decorated booths, each with its own attraction in the way of salable commodities. After conscientiously doing their bit in the way of purchasing a number of articles that caught their fancy, they left the bazaar and wandered on down the street to a bowling alley.