I asked Miles to join us, but he preferred messing with the men, and so the four of us sat at table alone.

As though by mutual consent we avoided all reference to the war, or our present situation, conversation drifting into a discussion of art and literature.

I realized later that Miss Willifred had adroitly steered it that way, but if it was done to test me, she could scarcely have chosen a better topic.

I had come from the senior class of a great college into the army, and was only too delighted to take part again in cultured conversation.

Bell had taken an art course, and Miss Hardy had apparently read widely, and the discussion became animated, with frequent clashes of opinion.