The first three or four days were very pleasant; then I began to think that I should like a little to do, so as to remind me that there was such a thing as work.

But the last fortnight has been terrible.

A man cannot sleep for twenty-four hours, and if it had not been that Donald and I have had an occasional quarrel, as to our respective regiments and over the native land he is so fond of bragging about, I should have been ready to hang myself.
"Ah, sir, how often have I to thank my stars that I did not take my discharge!--which I could have asked for, as I have served my time.
I had thought of it, many times; and had said to myself how delightful it would be to hear the morning call sound, at a barracks near, and to turn over in my bed and go to sleep again; to have no guard to keep, no sergeant to bully or provost guard to arrest one, if one has taken a cup too much.

This fortnight has shown me the folly of such ideas.

It has taught me when I am well off, and what misery it is to be one's own master, and to be always wondering how the day is to be got through." "Well, you are not likely to have to complain that you have nothing to do, for some time now, Karl." "No, cornet.