He was so engrossed in his occupation that he was not aware of a lull.
He was recalled by a hoarse laugh and a sentence that came to his ears in a voice of contempt and amazement.

"Yeh infernal fool, don't yeh know enough t' quit when there ain't anything t' shoot at?
Good Gawd!" He turned then and, pausing with his rifle thrown half into position, looked at the blue line of his comrades.

During this moment of leisure they seemed all to be engaged in staring with astonishment at him.

They had become spectators.

Turning to the front again he saw, under the lifted smoke, a deserted ground.
He looked bewildered for a moment.