Part 2 Chapter 9 Summary

The train takes Billy, Hallett and the others to a French town three hours away from where they first landed. Billy settles his men in the hall of a church and then goes to find a place where officers will stay. An abandoned house is found, where two other officers have already bunked down for the night.

Because the morning view out his window is so beautiful, Billy forgets he's near the Front. The back garden looks like a jungle and there is even a small pond. At this point in the war, there's absolutely nothing Billy and his soldiers can do but kill time.

The men take their time and explore the town, finding that much of it has been left in ruins by the war. Over dinner, Billy, Owen, Potts and Hallet argue about the reasons for war and...