@@@@@"A Jap could have killed me," he said to
@@@@@"A Jap could have killed me," he said to himself, and the thought sent electric wakening shudders through his bodyHe got out of the foxhole and stumbled over toward where Brown was sleepingHe would have missed him but he heard Brown whisper, "What the hell are you thrashing around for like a pig in the brush?"
Roth was meek"I couldn't find you," he whined
"Hell of a note," Brown saidHe stretched once in his blankets, and stood up"I couldn't sleep," he said"Too many goddam noisesWhat time is it?"
"After three-thirty
"You were supposed to wake me at three
Roth had been afraid of this"I began to think," Roth said weakly, "and lost track of the time
"Shit!" Brown saidHe finished tying his shoes and walked out to the emplacement without saying anything else
Roth stood still for a moment, his rifle strap chafing his shoulder, and then began looking for the place where he and Minetta were sleeping for the nightMinetta had pulled the blankets over him, and Roth lay down beside him gingerly, and tried to tug them awayAt home he had always insisted on having the sheets tucked in tightly; now with the blankets drawn up over his feet he was miserableEverything seemed wetThe rain kept falling on his exposed legs and he became very chilledThe blankets were midway between sopping and damp; they had a musty wet odor which reminded him of the smell of feetHe kept turning over, trying to find an accommodating place on the ground, but it seemed as if a root were always sticking into the small of his backThe drizzle teased him when he pulled the blankets off his faceHe was sweating and shuddering at the same time, and he was convinced he would be sickWhy didn't I tell Brown he ought to be glad I stood an extra half hour of guard for him? he asked himself abruptly, and felt frustrated and bitter that he had failed to answer himWait, I'll tell him in the morning, he assured himself angril