“I guess I’ll g-go in with you, Maun!” stammered the hired man as he got out and began tying the horse to a pavement ring. “I hain’t never worried much about soldierin’, but may’s well see the doin’s now as I’m here. Wait a minute, Maun.”
Together they walked across the green and soon came up with a group of civilians who were talking about the war. One of them was a veteran of several campaigns, for he wore a line of medals pinned to his vest and kept his coat well pulled back to display them. He pointed Mauney to the doorway.
As they were about to enter, an erect individual, neatly uniformed, with waxed moustache and a short, black stick held under one Of his straight arms, advanced to meet them.
“What do you want?” he demanded, crisply.
“I want to enlist,” Mauney explained.
“Recruits?” he snapped haughtily, and pointed with his finger. “To the right, fall in line behind the others and wait your turn.”
Mauney thanked him and turned to the hired man.
“You better wait for me outside, Snowball!” he said.
The crisp individual in uniform glanced quickly at Snowball, his eyes keenly studying him.
“You may wait here,” he said, “if you choose.”