superficial qualities.
The whole affair seemed incomprehensible to many of them.

As they halted thus the lieutenant again began to bellow profanely.
Regardless of the vindictive threats of the bullets, he went about
coaxing, berating, and bedamning. His lips, that were habitually in a
soft and childlike curve, were now writhed into unholy contortions. He
swore by all possible deities.

Once he grabbed the youth by the arm. "Come on, yeh lunkhead!" he
roared. "Come one! We'll all git killed if we stay here. We've on'y
got t' go across that lot. An' then"--the remainder of his idea
disappeared in a blue haze of curses.

The youth stretched forth his arm. "Cross there?" His mouth was
puckered in doubt and awe.

"Certainly. Jest 'cross th' lot! We can't stay here," screamed the
lieutenant. He poked his face close to the youth and waved his
bandaged hand. "Come on!" Presently he grappled with him as if for a
wrestling bout. It was as if he planned to drag the youth by the ear
on to the assault.

The private felt a sudden unspeakable indignation against his officer.
He wrenched fiercely and shook him off.

"Come on yerself, then," he yelled. There was a bitter challenge in
his voice.

They galloped together down the regimental front. The friend scrambled
after them. In front of the colors the three men began to bawl: "Come
on! come on!" They danced and gyrated like tortured savages.

The flag, obedient to these appeals, bended its glittering form and
swept toward them. The men wavered in indecision for a moment, and
then with a long, wailful cry the dilapidated regiment surged forward
and began its new journey.

Over the field went the scurrying mass. It was a handful of men
splattered into the faces of the enemy. Toward it instantly sprang the
yellow tongues. A vast quantity of blue smoke hung before them. A
mighty banging made ears valueless.

The youth ran like a madman to reach the woods before a bullet could
discover him. He ducked his head low, like a football player. In his
haste his eyes almost closed, and the scene was a wild blur. Pulsating
saliva stood at the corners of his mouth.

Within him, as he hurled himself forward, was born a love, a despairing
fondness for this flag which was near him. It was a creation of beauty
and invulnerability. It was a goddess, radiant, that bended its form
with an imperious gesture to him. It was a woman, red and white,
hating and lovi