“Well, you look plenty lazy.” They insulted each other good-naturedly for several minutes. The other Lieutenant was in his middle twenties and a close friend of Hodges. They had gone to Officers’ School together. The other Lieutenant was dark and handsome and constantly shocked at Hodges’ desire for a military career. A desire which he usually referred to as “crass” or “gross.”
“How’s the office been?”
“Just about the same. I think our friend the Chief of Staff is going to get moved out.”
“How come?”
“Well, they sent a new Colonel in and it looks like our politician friend is on his way out.”
“I guess that’s why he was down to meet us.”
“Sure, he’s winning friends all the time.”
“Say, I’m hungry. Let’s go over to the club.”
“O.K., wait till I take care of this.” The Lieutenant put some papers in his desk. “I wonder where that damn CQ is? Well, we’ll go anyway.”
They went outside and Hodges saw that his baggage was gone. The driver had probably taken it over to his quarters. He was glad that he wouldn’t have to carry it.