human
I wish I could get on a listening post, he thought to himself.
gpt
That would give me a fine chance.
human
You should look where you are going, Kamerad, said the man.
gpt
And, by the way, where _are_ you going?
human
To the front trench, sergeant, replied Dennis, speaking at a venture.
gpt
I have just secured a fresh supply of racket bombs.
human
What, you are Carl Heft, surely! Good lad, I did not see you in the mêlée, but I have no doubt you acquitted yourself well. I also am going to the front trench, to our company's sector. We will go together.
gpt
With pleasure, sergeant, he made answer. And the pair walked along side by side.
human
Have we lost many?
gpt
Yes, a good few, and I believe it was their own fault. To tell you the truth, Heft, the battalion is not in a good state; they were left too long over there in the front line without being relieved. Our company in particular is very homesick, and can you wonder when you look at the captain they have?
human
True, he is a great brute. You will let me say that to you, sergeant?
gpt
Have no fear; I shall not report you, said his companion, with a friendly squeeze of the arm.
human
He is not only a great brute, but he is an arrant coward into the bargain. The men do not mind being cuffed and bullied, because they are used to it; but when they see their officer never expose himself, and always shouting from the rear 'Get on, you pigs!' they don't like it. But, Himmel! --and he chuckled--
gpt
That is good,
human
I have just been making a report to Colonel Schlutz, went on the sergeant.
gpt
Now you and I will go to a snug little dug-out I have taken possession of. I have a nice piece of sausage which we will share, and what do you think?--four bottles of lager beer! What do you think of that?
human
I say that you are a good comrade, sergeant--the best I have met for many a long day,