human
They seem to be able to enjoy themselves,
gpt
Oh yes, they've all sorts of amusement! replied Elaine, drawing her cousins aside.
human
It's wonderful how cheery they keep, not to say noisy sometimes. In 'Kitchener' Ward the men have mouth organs and tin whistles and combs, and play till you're nearly deafened. We don't like to check them if it keeps up their spirits, poor fellows! You see, there's always such a pathetic side to it. Some of them will be cripples to the end of their days, and they're still so young. It seems dreadful. Think of Peters and Jackson. A man with one leg can't do very much for a living unless he's a clerk, and neither of them is educated enough for that. Their pensions won't be very much. I suppose they'll be taught some kind of handicraft. I hope so, at any rate.
gpt
Are they all ordinary Tommies here?
human
We've no officers. They, of course, are always in a separate hospital. But some of the Tommies are gentlemen, and have been to public schools. There are two over there. We'll go down the other side of the ward and you'll see them. There's just time before our grand visitors arrive. We must stop and say a word at each bed, or the men will feel left out. We try not to show any favouritism to the gentlemen Tommies. This is Wilkinson--he reads the newspaper through every day and tells us all about it. It's very convenient when we haven't time to read it for ourselves. This is Davis; he comes from Bangor, and can speak Welsh, which is more than I can. This is Harper; he's to get up next week if he goes on all right.
gpt
Who is this in the next bed?
human
Seventeen? That's one of the gentlemen Tommies, whispered Elaine.
gpt
An old Rugby boy--he knew Wilfred there. Yes, Sister, I'm coming!
human
Hilton Tamworthy Preston
gpt
Didn't we travel together from Silverwood?
human
Of course we did. I knew you at once when you were going down the other side of the ward, he replied.
gpt
Did you get to Brackenfield all right that day?
human
Yes, thanks. But how did you know that we were going to Brackenfield?
gpt
Why, you were wearing your badges. My sisters used to be there, so I twigged at once that you were Brackenfielders. Your teacher wore a badge too. I hope she found a taxi all right?
human
No, she didn't. It was a wretched four-wheeler, but we were glad to get anything in the way of a cab.
gpt
How do you like school?
human
Oh, pretty well! I like it better than Dona does. We're going home next Tuesday for the holidays.
gpt
My sisters were very happy there, and Kathleen was a prefect. I used to hear all about it. Do you still call Mrs. Morrison 'The Empress'? I expect there are plenty of new girls now that Joyce and Kathleen wouldn't remember.
human
Have you been wounded?
gpt
Yes, but I'm getting on splendidly. I hope to be up quite soon. The Doctor promised to have me back at the front before long.
human
We have a brother at the front, and one on the _Relentless_, and another in training, volunteered Marjorie,
gpt
And I'm one of five brothers, who are all fighting.
human
Didn't you get the V.C.?
gpt
Oh yes, but I don't think I did anything very particular! Any of our men would have done the same.
human
Have you got it here in your locker?
gpt
No, my mother has it at home.
human
I'd have loved to see it.
gpt
I wish I could have shown it to you. I thought it would be safer at home. Hallo! Here come the bigwigs! The show is going to begin.