"Me have broder in de American army; no in army, mysel'; me one time Italian army. How long time you?"
"Nearly two years," I said.
"Oversea?"
"Yes, but didn't get to front, before war over. No fight," I answered, adopting abbreviated style, as I sometimes did. It seemed unnecessary and a little discourteous to use a rounded phrase, with all the adorning English particles.
He jumped down from the steps and took up a broom, executing a shoulder arms or two, and the flat-hand Italian salute, performed with a tremendous air.
"Here," I said, "bayonet."
I took the broomstick, and did the bayonet exercises. The gang stood up and watched with delight, making comments in several languages. Especially the eyes of the Italians danced. The incident left a genial social atmosphere.
Adolph came in from behind one of the stoves as I was concluding a "long point."
"Come on," he said, looking at me with a grin; and when I had followed him, "I show you furnace, li'l bit."