Part 2, Chapter 9 Summary

The men become accustomed to the monotonous routine of their lives in the jungle, where they have forgotten what it is like to sleep for eight consecutive hours and to wear dry uniforms. When a batch of mail arrives, Red is disappointed not to receive a letter, although he has not written to anybody for over a year. Wyman cannot understand why his girlfriend has not written to him. Red tries to comfort him.

Croft and Martinez never receive any mail, but Ridges received a loving illiterate letter from his father. Gallagher reads Wilson a letter from his wife, asking him for money and threatening to write to the Army about him. Wilson composes a bullying reply, pleased with the biting remarks he thinks of. Gallagher is disgusted with Wilson's behavior and asks why does he not tell the woman in...