“Hold on, Tom, you can’t go down here,” he said determinedly.
Bollup’s eyes flashed anger. “I’ll trouble you not to interfere with my doings, Mister Osborn,” he said.
“You can’t pass by me, Tom,” said Ralph sadly. “I have my duty to perform, both to the regulations and to my friend, for I’m not willing to give you up yet, Tom.”
“Don’t bother about the friendship, Mister Osborn, and as for duty, it isn’t customary for a private to talk about duty to his commanding officer. Get out of my way! Don’t you dare to stop me!” [He made a rush to pass Ralph but the latter threw himself on Bollup and caught him around the waist] and down they both went in a heap to the floor, and rolled over and over. Bollup struggled with angry energy and was beside himself with rage; twice he viciously struck Ralph in the face. The latter clung desperately to Bollup; Bollup was the stronger of the two but he could not get rid of Ralph’s hold. They finally got up and tears of passionate anger streamed from Bollup’s eyes. “Oh!” he cried, “if I can ever show you how I hate and despise you, I surely will! If I live a thousand years I’ll never speak to you again!”
[Ralph threw himself on Bollup and caught him around the waist]
Bollup looked at his beautiful new service coat, now torn and dirty, and his anger broke out afresh; and with bitter rage dominating those handsome features he reiterated his lasting hatred against Ralph, and then returned to his room.
Ralph’s heart was filled with conflicting emotions. He believed he had saved Bollup a second time, but he knew he would receive no thanks for this; and he now feared the breach between himself and this once dear friend was irreparable.
While rueful thoughts were thus surging through Ralph’s mind his telephone bell rang.
“Hello,” he heard Warren’s voice say, “break out Bollup and send him to the office immediately for orders; and turn out everybody on your deck. We’re going to muster the battalion to see who’s missing.”