Chapters 13-15 Summary

In Chapter 13 Barque asks the narrator about what he is writing, wonders whether the characters will speak naturally or if "big words" will be put in their mouths. The narrator insists that big words tell the truth and he is not worried by what people will say.

Chapter 14 finds the squad in yet another huge barn on eve of another return to the trenches. First Volpatte and then the other men examine and discuss the things that they carry in his pockets and debate how best to pack for the road. An adjutant suggests that they are about to face "a hot time of it." The men talk about meager wages and means of augmenting them. Everything that the Army issues them is ugly and of low quality. The men are too proud of their "treasures" to lighten the crushing load...