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action. Not coming off duty, however, till 7 o' clock every evening it is comparatively easy to put in the time till lights out. After that call goes, of course a fellow can read for an hour or so, and still have light enough to make his bed. Summer time is certainly a great idea.
About a month ago we were asked on parade whether it was agreeable that part of the canteen funds be appropriated to buy "shorts'* for the troops, said "shorts to be similar to those worn by the Pats. A show of hands was called for, with the result that the majority were in favor of it. The order was placed with Ggranges (London), but it seems that all army orders were subject to delay,"so that it was only two days ago that she shorts reached us. They're a fine rig all right, if the weather ever gets warm again. Of course I had to try them on as soon as I got 'em-- only human nature isn?t it?— and though it was a cold blustery day, didn't bother to change into slacks again. That evening our eergt. came around and told up that we had. to wear our slacks on the 7 o'clock parade. Uniformity, you know. Jimmy Park wasn't around at the time/ and when the order* reached him it was to the effect that shorts were to be worn. Just who gave him the bum steer I don't know, but I do know that I woke up about 6 next morning to find Jimmy standing by his bed pulling on his shorts over a pair of long drawers, busily engaged talking to himself. Thetone of his remarks may be guaged by "Well, this is one hell of a. morning to have to wear these —— things". It surely was as raw as a winter's day. Rather than see him suffer any longer— the mere fact of getting up at 6 o'clock must have cost him an awful effort-- I gave him the right <bpe on the situation.
A chance remark of Jimmy Stewart' & the other day 'that he was nearly senior stretcher bearer in point of service in his section, lead me to figure up how I stood in that respect in this outfit. Surprised myself too. Now that the Wop and Finn are in the Canteen— they'll be out of the line until the big strap comes on-- there are only four men senior to me- Freddie Lean, Bert Lovell, Fat C-erry and / Lave Levesque. Jim Park has been over six months longer than I have but didn't join this unit till after we did. I ought to be in line for a bomb proof job pretty soon, shouldn't I? Am not particular whet kind of a. job it is, though, I do draw the line at a dresser’s work. After two years handling wounded I ought to be used to rotten sights, but such is not the case. No thanks, stretcher bearing is ahead of dressing every time.
Until yesterday water has been a very scarce article around these diggings. The pump went on the blink, so it was necessary to haul the water about five miles. As you may expect, a corps dressing station consumes some water in the course of a. day, but with only two carts carrying it, the water detail had rather a strenuous job carrying it to the proper quarters. Lave Levesque spotted the cart coming in at noon one day, and there being no water in the dressing room, he grabbed a couple of cans and beat it for the cart. He got the water all right, but came back foaming at the mouth, having had a heated controver^tj^with the water detail guy as to the whys and wherefores of hiti drawing the water* All Lave could say was "What for
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