Monstrous Regiment

haven’t faded away? What about the light? And you heard how Wazzer’s voice sounded!”
    “Yeah, but…well, that sort of thing doesn’t happen to people you know ,” said Tonker.
    “It happens to…well, strange religious people. I mean, a few days ago she was learning how to fart loudly!”
    “She?” whispered Blouse to Polly. “She? Why is—”
    Once again a part of Polly’s mind overtook the sudden panic.
    “Sorry, Daphne? ” she said.
    “Oh…yes…of course…can’t be too…yes…” the lieutenant murmured.
    Igorina knelt down by the girl and put a hand on her forehead.
    “She’s on fire,” she said.
    “She used to pray all the time back at the Gray House,” said Lofty, kneeling down.
    “Yeah, well, there was a lot to pray about, if you weren’t strong,” growled Tonker. “And every bloody day we had to pray to the Duchess to thank Nuggan for slops you wouldn’t give to a pig! And that damn picture everywhere, that fishy stare…I hate it! It could drive you mad. That’s what happened to Wazz, right? And now you want me to believe the old fat biddy is here and treating our friend there like some…puppet or something? I don’t believe that! And if it’s true, it shouldn’t be!
    “She’s burning up, Magda,” said Lofty quietly.
    “D’you know why we joined up?” said Tonker, red in the face. “To get away! Anything was better than what we had! I’ve got Lofty and Lofty’s got me, and we’re sticking with you because there’s nothing else for us. Everyone says the Zlobenians are terrible, right? But they’ve never done anything to us , they’ve never hurt us . If they want to come over here and hang a few bastards, I could give ’em a list! Everywhere there’s something bad happening, everywhere the small-minded bullies are inventing new cruelties, new ways of keeping us down, that bloody face is watching! And you say it’s here? ”
    “ We’re here,” said Polly. “And you are here. And we’re going to do what we came to do and get out, understand? You kissed the picture, you took the shilling!”
    “I damn well didn’t kiss her face! And a shilling’s the least they owe me!”
    “Then go!” shouted Polly. “Desert! We won’t stop you, because I’m sick of your…your bullshit! But you make up your mind right now, right now , understand? Because when we meet the enemy I don’t want to think you’re there to stab me in the back!”
    The words flew out before she could stop them, and there was no power in the world that could snatch them back.
    Tonker went pale, and a certain life drained out of her face like water from a funnel.
    “What was that you said?”
    The words “You heard me!” lined up to spring from Polly’s tongue, but she hesitated. She told herself: it doesn’t have to go this way. You don’t have to let a pair of socks do the talking.
    “Words that were stupid,” she said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”
    Tonker settled slightly.
    “Well…all right then,” she said grudgingly. “Just so long as you know we’re in this for the squad, okay? Not for the army and not for the bloody Duchess.”
    “That was a treasonable speech, Private Halter!” said Lieutenant Blouse.
    Everyone but Polly had forgotten about him, and he stood there like an easy man to forget.
    “However,” he went on, “I realize we’re all somewhat…” he looked down at his dress, “… confused and, er, bewildered by the pace of events…”
    Tonker tried to avoid Polly’s eye.
    “Sorry, sir,” she muttered, glowering.
    “I must make it clear that I will not stand to hear such things repeated,” said Blouse.
    “No, sir.”
    “Good,” said Polly quickly. “So let’s—”
    “But I will overlook it this time,” Blouse went on.
    Polly could see Tonker snap. The head raised slowly.
    “You’ll overlook it?” said Tonker. “ You will overlook it?”
    “Careful,” said Polly, just loud enough for Tonker to hear.
    “Let me tell you something about us, lieutenant,” said Tonker, grinning horribly.
    “We are here, Private, whoever we are,” snapped Polly. “Now let’s find the cells!”
    “Um…” said Igorina, “we’re quite close, I think. I can see a sign. Um…it’s at the end of this passage. Um…just behind those rather puzzled armed men with the, um …efficient -looking crossbows. Um. I think what you’ve just been saying was important and needed to be said. Only, um…not just now, perhaps? And not so