Зима тревоги нашей

           SometimesIcandirectthem,andothertimestheytaketheirheadandcomerushingovermelikestrong,unmanagedhorses.

           DannyTaylorcamein.Ididn’twanttothinkabouthimandbesadbuthecameanyway.Ihadtouseatrickatougholdsergeanttaughtmeonce,anditworks.Therewasadayandanightandadayinthewarthatwasallonepiece,oneunitofwhichthepartswerejustaboutallthedirtydreadfulnessthatcanhappeninthatsickbusiness.WhileitwasgoingonI’mnotsureIknewitsagonybecauseIwasbusyandunutterablytired,butafterwardthatunitofadayandanightandadaycamebacktomeoverandoveragaininmynightthoughtsuntilitwaslikethatinsanitytheycallbattlefatigueandoncenamedshell-shock.IusedeverytrickIcouldnottothinkofit,butitcreptbackinspiteofme.Itwaitedthroughthedaytogetatmeinthedark.OncemawkishwithwhiskyItoldittomytopsergeant,anoldprowhohadbeeninwarswehaveforgotteneverhappened.Ifhehadwornhisribbons,there’dhavebeennoroomforbuttons—MikePulaski,apolackfromChicago,norelationtothehero.Bygoodfortune,hewasdecentlydrunkorhemighthaveclammedupoutofaconditionedconvictionaboutfraternizingwithanofficer.

           Mikeheardmeout,staringataspotbetweenmyeyes."Yeah!"hesaid."Iknowaboutthat.Troubleis,aguytriestoshoveitoutofhishead.Thatdon’twork.Whatyougottodoiskindofwelcomeit."