With this as a starter the boys marched into the mess hall and sat down at long tables to eat.
“How goes it, Chunky?” asked Ned, as he noticed his stout chum beginning to eat.
“Tell you better when I’ve had my second or third helping,” was the somewhat mumbled reply.
“Talk it out, Chunky,” advised Jerry. “Don’t scramble your reply; leave that to the eggs you’re sailing into.”
“Huh, I’ll sail clear through these, and then some.”
“Can you have as much as you like?” asked a rather timid lad next to Ned.
“All you want, son, and more,” answered the squad leader, who was walking about, and who had overheard the question.
As each one finished he took his mess kit down to the end of the hall, where there was a kettle of scalding water, and washed his cutlery and dishes. There are no official dishwashers in the army, save those who serve in the officer’s mess.
“Well, do you feel better?” asked Ned, as he and Jerry filed out with Bob.