nd saluted and
said:

"The Commiseriat has sent me forward with the day's rations, sir."

"Very good," I returned, in an official manner. "Corps will line up and
count. Odd numbers to unpack and evens to set the table."

This of course was figurative, as we have no table, but eat upon the
ground.

He then carried over the baskets and a freezer of ice cream. He had
brought a fruit salid, cold chicken, potatoe Chips, cake and ice-cream.
It was a delightful Repast, and not soon to be forgotten by the Corps.

Mademoiselle got out of the Adams's car and came over, although she had
her own lunch as usual. She then had the Chauffeur carry over a seat
cushion, and to see her one would beleive she was always pleasant. I
have no use for those who are only pleasant in the presence of Food or
Strangers.

Carter Brooks sat beside me, and observed:

"You see, Bab, although a Slacker myself, I cannot bear that such brave
spirits as those of the Girls' Aviation Corps should go hungry."

I then gave him a talking-to, saying that he had been a great
disapointment, as I thought one should rise to the Country's Call and
not wait until actualy needed, even when an only son.

He made no defence, but said in a serious tone:

"You see, it's like this. I am not sure of myself, Bab. I don't want to
enlist because others of the Male Sex, as you would say, are enlisting
and I'm ashamed not to. And I don't want to enlist just to wear a
Unaform and get away from business. I don't take it as lightly as all
that."

"Have you no Patriotism?" I demanded. "Can you repeat unmoved the
celabrated lines:

"Lives there a man with Soul so dead,
He (or who) never to himself hath said:
This is my own, my Native Land."

I then choked up, although being Captain I felt that tears were a
femanine weakness and a bad Example.

Mademoiselle had at that moment felt an ant somewhere and was not
looking. Therfore she did not perceive when he reached over and put his
hand on my foot, which happened to be nearest to him. He then pated my
foot, and said:

"What a nice kid you are!"

It is strange, now that he and the baskets, etcetera, have gone away,
that I continue to think about his pating my foot. Because I have
known him for years, and he is nothing to me but a good friend and not
sentamental in any way.

I feel this way. Suppose he enlists and goes away to die for his
Country, as a result of my Speach. Can I endure to think of it?