a story by Alden Kirby

in the barracks

W

W

In the barracks, Private Bob Silk said to his bunk mate, "You dont want people to think you're a queer, do you? Throw it away."

Jasper took the letter back. "I guess I'd better. But do you think that's what Bill really means?"

"It's not what I think. You go on that furlough with that Bill guy, with his cabin in the woods, 'sleeping man to man,' and see who thinks what!"

Jasper took this in. "I'll tell him no, then. I'll tell him not to write anymore." "Best thing," Silk said. "Keep away from 'em. And those guys you been hanging around with. Watch out for them too."

"George and Ed? And Jack Marsh?"

"Well, Sgt. Marsh is okay. Everybody seems to like him. I always see him in the USO dancing with a girl I know. He holds her too tight; you can see he's not. Jasper watched Silk's face. Sharing the double bunk for six months, they had become friends but to Jasper, Silk's wider experience made him wise and impenetrable.

9