“They can do anythin' they goddam please with us. We're the guys as is gettin' the raw end of this deal. It ain't the same with an' edicated guy like Andrews or Sergeant Coffin or them. They can suck around after 'Y' men, an' officers an' get on the inside track, an' all we can do is stand up an' salute an' say 'Yes, lootenant' an' 'No, lootenant' an' let 'em ride us all they goddam please. Ain't that gospel truth, corporal?” “Ah guess you're right, Judkie; we gits the raw end of the stick.” “That damn yellar dawg Andrews goes to Paris an' gets schoolin' free an' all that.” “Hell, Andy waren't yellar, Judkins.” “Well, why did he go bellyachin' around all the time like he knew more'n the lootenant did?” “Ah reckon he did,” said Chrisfield. “Anyway, you can't say that those guys who went to Paris did a goddam thing more'n any the rest of us did.... Gawd, I ain't even had a leave yet.” “Well, it ain't no use crabbin'.” “No, onct we git home an' folks know the way we've been treated, there'll be a great ole investigation. I can tell you that,” said one of the new men. “It makes you mad, though, to have something like that put over on ye.... Think of them guys in Paris, havin' a hell of a time with wine an' women, an' we stay out here an' clean our guns an' drill.... God, I'd like to get even with some of them guys.” The whistle blew. The patch of grass became unbroken green again as the men lined up along the side of the road. “Fall in!” called the Sergeant. “Atten-shun!” “Right dress!” “Front! God, you guys haven't got no snap in yer.... Stick yer belly in, you. You know better than to stand like that.” “Squads, right! March! Hep, hep, hep!” The Company tramped off along the muddy road. Their steps were all the same length. Their arms swung in the same rhythm. Their faces were cowed into the same expression, their thoughts were the same. The tramp, tramp of their steps died away along the road. Birds were singing among the budding trees. The young grass by the roadside kept the marks of the soldiers' bodies. PART FIVE: THE WORLD OUTSIDE