I began to have a realizing sense of what life in the army was likely to be. There was little to do, but it had to be done at certain hours and in a prescribed manner, and served to interrupt any self-imposed pursuit on the outside. A certain class of our visitors always caused the introduction of cards and playing for stakes. As I had foresworn cards,⁹ I was never included in the game, but in order to fill my leisure time I lad out a plan of reading and writing.