Colonel Berry

Chapter Sixteen

At the doors of the armoury, David paused to turn and wave to Maria as she sat watching him. Then he waited there, waving until she had motored away before he turned to enter the building.

"What a beautiful woman. Is that your wife?"

David was startled out of his thoughts by the voice beside him. "No, she's my sister." He smiled at the young man and extended his hand to shake. "You're Wolfgang, aren't you? I'm David."

"Yes, I remember." He turned his head to follow the receding car. "What a stunning beauty she is. Could you introduce us?"

"She's married."

"He's certainly a lucky devil. Why are all the most beautiful taken?"

"And the women ask similarly, Why are all the bright, prosperous and caring men taken?" David chuckled.

"But we're not. Look at us."

"True." He opened the door and gestured for Wolfgang to enter. "You're back early. It's not yet sixteen thirty."

He nodded to the departing carriage. "My brother brought me, and the horse is dangerous on the roads in the dark." Then turning to look at David, he added, "I've never seen a woman driving an automobile."

"She doesn't know why she shouldn't." He shrugged. "She does a lot of things women rarely do, like studying medicine."

"To be a doctor? I didn't know women were allowed to do that."

"And why would they not be? They're as smart and capable as men."

"But their instability?"

"I'm aware of a far greater number of unstable men than women. Think of the attitudes of those who started this war and of those who continue it. Those are all men, not women."

"True." They paused at the Orderly Room counter to report in.

As they headed out into the quadrangle, David asked, "Have you ever thought that the general attitude about women is because men through the ages have dominated them, treated them as chattel and deemed them incapable of anything but servile work?"

Wolfgang nodded. "Always being told they can't isn't the way to instil confidence, is it?"

"Nor is preventing them from trying. It's like the propaganda in the news. Say it often enough and the people believe it."

"I bought a copy of Der Bund like you recommended. What a different depiction of events compared to the Schaffhauser Zeitung. It's as if two completely separate events were being reported."

"Are you aware the Zeitung has been bought by a German company?"

Wolfgang pursed his lips as he nodded. "It's obvious now. They're using it to spread false information, aren't they?"

"They are. Just as some men spread false information that women are unstable and incapable."

"Yeah, like me until now." He chuckled as he nodded toward David's crotch. "Does all that wisdom come there?"

"It may." David bobbed his head as he thought. "Consider this: I don't have to worry about not satisfying women, so I've no need to suppress and subjugate them." He smiled as he opened the door to the barrack room.

Through the afternoon, as men arrived from their leave, David listened to stories about their experiences. And these continued at the table in the mess during dinner, and then in the barrack room until lights out. He lay awake in the dark with stories continuing in the background while he analysed his new awareness. No shame. No embarrassment. Acceptance and pride seem strange. They sure stop the taunting. Don't have to respond now. Except with a smile and shrug.

Schaffhausen, Switzerland — Monday, 17 April 1916

David awoke refreshed on Monday, having fallen asleep with an empty mind. After the morning run, he showered, enjoying a freedom he had not previously allowed. He acknowledged complimentary looks, and he assessed the endowments of others with ease.

He counted twenty-three in the shower room as he made mental notes for Maria. One barely peeking from his pubes. Two about two inches. Most two and a half to three and a half. One a bit above four. He finished soaping, and while he rinsed, he re-examined. Two with religious mutilations.

After he had dried, he returned to his cot to write his observations in his notebook, and he had nearly finished when Lens asked. "Love letter already? You just got back."

David chuckled as he made the last entry. "No, a note to my sister."

"Wolfgang told me she's studying to be a doctor."

"She is. Did you tell your uncle about the accuracy of the Rolex?"

Lens chortled. "He scoffed as I had. But after I convinced him to read the observatory reports, he studied the brochure with increasing interest, then he sent an order to Bienne." He paused and looked at David. "You'll still get a commission this way, won't you?"

"If he filled the form I gave you, yes. It's marked with my name."

"He did."

David smiled, then glanced at his watch. "Inspection in four and a half minutes. We need to dress and arrange our barrack boxes." He turned and called to the room. "Stand by beds in four minutes. Hop to it."

Following the inspection and breakfast, David walked the periphery of the quadrangle to the administration wing. At the Orderly Room, he told Korporal Wengen that he had a message for Frau Ullman.

"She doesn't arrive until eight thirty. Leave it with me, and I can pass it on to her."

"I have nothing written. I'll return at mid-morning break."

"You can save a trip and tell me. I'll pass it on."

"It's for Major Frankenthal, actually. He had wanted to see me."

Wengen paused and examined David's face. "He had spoken with you during enrolment, hadn't he? I remember the beard. You're the one who is doing the instructor training, but I forget your name."

David nodded. "Yes, it's David Meier."

"He's in his office. I can ask if he'll see you now." The corporal turned to the clerk who had been listening. "Go ask the Commandant if he has time now to see Rekruit Meier."

While he waited, David examined the situation. Not how I had planned it. Too late to stop the process now. I'll be late for the first lecture. But if I...

His thoughts were interrupted by the clerk's voice as he approached the counter. "He'll see him now, Korporal."

The clerk led David along the hall and knocked on Major Frankenthal's door, receiving in response, "Come in, Meier."

David stepped in, halted and saluted. "Good morning, Sir. I'm sorry to interrupt, but —"

"Please have a seat. Did you enjoy your leave?"

"Thank you, Sir. I did. I don't have time at the moment. My intention had been to have Frau Ullman inform you that it would be better if we meet tomorrow. You'll understand why with tomorrow's mail."

Frankenthal looked up from his desk with a puzzled expression. "You intrigue me."

"There'll be more intrigue tomorrow." David smiled and nodded over his shoulder toward the door. "If I may, Sir, I have a lecture in a few minutes. May we meet tomorrow at noon?"

Frankenthal nodded, remaining silent for a long while before he said, "Yes. I'll arrange sandwiches so you don't miss lunch." 

"Thank you." David smiled, saluted and left.