"Any questions?" asked Sergeant Brimmer, looking about him.
"Has any officer any right to direct bad language at an enlisted man, or to strike him?" queried Noll.
"The officer has no more right than anyone else, except in an emergency of danger to himself or others," replied Sergeant Brimmer. "But there's this difference: I've been in the Army fourteen years, and I never knew an officer to degrade himself in that fashion. But occasionally a non-commissioned officer will so disgrace himself. Either the officer or non-commissioned officer who swears at or strikes an enlisted man may be court-martialed, and, if it is found that he is guilty, he is dismissed from the service."
"We've had an awful lot to put up with from Corporal Shrimp, Sergeant," announced one of the uniformed recruits.
"I'm afraid you have, men. But I don't want you to carry tales to me. Tale-bearing is never worth while, nor encouraged, in the Army. Corporal Shrimp's case is now before the commanding officer. To-night or to-morrow an officer will be here to take the complaints of any of you men who have grievances. You will be expected to complain to the officer only about wrongs that have been done you by Corporal Shrimp. The officer will not permit any tale-bearing about anything that happened to anyone else. Corporal Shrimp is now in another squad room, under arrest. He will probably be court-martialed. In any case he won't return here until his case has been thoroughly disposed of."
The door opened, and a corporal of twenty-five years, or under, entered, striding straight up to Brimmer.
"Sergeant, I am directed by the company commander to report to you for quarters and duty here," announced the newcomer.
"Very good, Corporal Davis. I will assign you to your cot at once."
The new corporal was speedily assigned, after which the sergeant left the room on duty.
"Are there any new recruits here who do not fully understand the care of their bedding?" inquired Corporal Davis pleasantly.