“Yes, sir,” answered Sam meekly. “What do I do with the gun?”
“Carry it. You will receive your instructions from the quartermaster. Return to your company.”
Sam saluted and walked back to the drill hall. He did not feel particularly humiliated, well knowing that, while he was to blame in a way, the other fellow was more so.
“What happened?” whispered Dan as Sam fell into line once more.
“I got mine.”
“Punishment?”
“Yes.”
“What kind?”
“Extra duty tour—with a gun. I’m glad he told me to carry a gun. I can amuse myself with the gun. I wish he had told me to load it and go woodchuck hunting.”
Dan looked a bit troubled, but Sam took his punishment good-naturedly.