"Now, turn up yer mattress, and fold yer bedding," ordered the corporal.
Hal started patiently to obey, but there was no pleasing Shrimp. He vented a couple of oaths, evidently in order to make the matter clearer.
"Now, do it over again," ordered Shrimp roughly.
"This fellow is venting his spite on us because he's angry at the way Sergeant Brimmer relieved him this afternoon," thought Hal hotly. Yet he tried patiently to follow out his instructions.
In the meantime four or five other recruits had entered the squad room.
"Here ye gibbering monkey! Not that way!" snarled Shrimp. "Stand aside!"
Seizing Hal by the shoulders Shrimp deliberately hurled him out into the middle of the squad room. Hal did not fall, but he wheeled about, his eyes flashing.
Corporal Shrimp stood surveying him angrily.
"Making faces at me, are ye, ye Army-lawyer?" howled Shrimp, springing toward Hal.
He launched a blow full at the young rookie. Private Overton, who had some knowledge of boxing and of its companion foot-work, stepped aside.