"No--no--don't tech me--leave me be--leave me be--" The youth, aghast and filled with wonder at the tall soldier, began quaveringly to question him.

"Where yeh goin', Jim?
What you thinking about?
Where you going?
Tell me, won't you, Jim ?" The tall soldier faced about as upon relentless pursuers.

In his eyes there was a great appeal.

"Leave me be, can't yeh?
Leave me be for a minnit." The youth recoiled.

"Why, Jim," he said, in a dazed way, "what 's the matter with you ?" The tall soldier turned and, lurching dangerously, went on.