Then a huge shell burst behind them, and the air was filled with hissing fragments of steel.

But in their five feet of earth they were untouched, although horrible fumes as of lyddite or some other hideous compound assailed them.
"This is the life," said Wharton, resuming his usual cheerfulness.

"I take back what I said about our beautiful trench.

Just now I appreciate it more than I would the greenest and loveliest landscape in England or all America.

Oh, it's a glorious trench! A splendid fortress for weak human flesh, finer than any castle that was ever built!" "Don't be dithyrambic, Wharton," said Carstairs.