Suddenly 2nd Lieut. Yassny’s deep voice was heard from the rear ranks, drowning the voices both of the speaker and of the crowd.
“What is your Company?”
Some confusion took place. The orator was dumb. Shouts of indignation were flung at Yassny.
“What is your Company, I ask you?”
“The Seventh!”
Voices were heard in the ranks:
“We have no such man in the Seventh Company.”
“Wait a bit, my friend,” boomed Yassny, “was it not you that came in to-day with the new lot ... you were carrying a large placard? When have you had time to get worn out, poor fellow?”
The spirit of the crowd changed in an instant. It began to hiss, laugh, shout, and crack jokes. The unsuccessful orator disappeared in the crowd. Someone shouted: