@@@@@He thought of how he had been caught on the 769
@@@@@He thought of how he had been caught on the beach, and he felt an acute surpriseIt didn't seem possible that something as small as a bullet could have hurt himThe sounds of the firing, the emotions he had felt were returning to him, and he shuddered a littleIt seemed unreal, the way a man's face may sometimes seem unreal if he gazes at it too long in the mirrorMinetta drew his blanket over his shoulderThey ain't getting me back tomorrow, he assured himself
In the morning, before the doctor came, Minetta took off his bandages and examined his woundIt was almost healed; the lips of the cut had come together and were filled with new pink fleshThey would certainly discharge him todayMinetta looked about himThe other men were occupied or sleeping, and with a quick motion he ripped open the gash againIt began to bleed, and he wrapped up the bandages with trembling fingers, feeling a guilty gleeUnder the blanket he would rub his wound every few minutes to start the bleeding againHe felt a nervous impatience, waiting for the doctor to comeHis thigh felt warm and sticky under the bandages, and Minetta turned to the man in the next cot"My leg's bleeding," he said"Those wounds are funny things
When the doctor examined him, Minetta was silent"I see your wound's opened
The doctor looked at the bandage"You haven't been touching it, have you?" he asked
"I don't think so, docJust started bleeding He's on to me, Minetta decided"Naw, it's okay, I'll be able to get back to my platoon today, won't I?" he plea
