Words cannot convey the intent in Hickey's words, though it was plain enough to all who stood near by.
Hinkey plainly sought to convey that no man in barracks had any use for Sergeant Overton, a man as good as convicted of having robbed Private William Green.
Nor did Hal, by any means, miss the intended slur. Yet he was above taking up any quarrel on personal grounds.
"Hinkey," rebuked the young sergeant, "you're not answering a non-commissioned officer with the proper amount of respect."
"What's the use?" jeered the ugly soldier. "I don't feel any."
"Silence, my man!"
"Then since you're putting on airs just because of your chevrons, you'd better set an example of silence yourself. Then your lesson will wash down all the better."
The other soldiers in the group took no part in the conversation. They did not attempt to "show sides," but Sergeant Hal knew that they were looking on and listening with keen interest.
It would never do for this boy who was a sergeant to "back down" before such an affront, both to himself and to good discipline.
"He's trying to make me mad, so that I'll make it seem like a personal affair," thought Hal Overton swiftly. "I'll keep cool and fool the fellow!"