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ALL QUIET

playing on the embankment, roads, leading into the country, smooth roads without artillery.

It is evening, and if the train did not rattle I should cry out. The plain unfolds itself.

In the distance, the soft, blue silhouette of the mountain ranges begins to appear. I recognize the characteristic outline of the Dolbenberg, a jagged comb, springing up precipitously from the limit of the forests. Behind it should lie the town.

But now the sun streams through the world, dis­solving everything in its golden-red light, the train swings round one curve and then another;—far away, in a long line one behind the other, stand the poplars, unsubstantial, swaying and dark, fashioned out of shadow, light, and desire.

The field swings round as the train encircles it, and the intervals between the trees diminish; the trees become a block and for a moment I see one only—then they reappear from behind the fore­most tree and stand out a long line against the sky until they are hidden by the first houses.

A street-crossing. I stand at the window, I can­not drag myself away. The others put their baggage ready for getting out. I repeat to myself the name of the Street that we cross over—Bremerstrasse—Bremerstrasse—

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