THERE have been occasions, even in this greatest of world's conflicts, when "Grim-visag'd war hath smoothed his wrinkled front," and stopped fighting long enough to smile. It could not be all slaughter and struggle, this war, or every combatant on the long, weary battle-line would go mad. There must be relaxation from the terrible tension. And there is. Human nature proves to be much the same in time of stress as under more cheerful circumstances, and the lads at the front, in the trenches, and even in the hospitals, as ...
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THERE have been occasions, even in this greatest of world's conflicts, when "Grim-visag'd war hath smoothed his wrinkled front," and stopped fighting long enough to smile. It could not be all slaughter and struggle, this war, or every combatant on the long, weary battle-line would go mad. There must be relaxation from the terrible tension. And there is. Human nature proves to be much the same in time of stress as under more cheerful circumstances, and the lads at the front, in the trenches, and even in the hospitals, as well as the sad-hearted folks left behind, are quick to catch at any incident, however trivial, that shall relieve the strain by a suggestion of mirthfulness; a mild paliative for the awfulness of things as they are.
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