"One tent forward out of alignment," called the company commander, then stepped down the street. "Who are the men that occupy this tent?" he demanded, halting.
"My tent, sir," mumbled Hooper.
"And mine, sir," added Dowley.
"Don't you men know how to erect a tent in alignment with the street front?" inquired Captain Cortland. "Take it down. Corporal Cotter, stand by to see that these men set up their tent in soldierly fashion."
"I told you you'd hear something," remarked Cotter.
"Aw, what's the use of being so finicky about a tent a quarter of an inch out of alignment?" grumbled Hooper.
"The tent is more than that out of alignment," returned the corporal. "And there's every use in the world in performing every duty in the most soldierly fashion."
"Say," began Dowley argumentatively.
"Silence, and get on with your work," ordered Corporal Cotter sharply. "Hooper, you're close to thirty-five years old. Dowley, you're around thirty. Yet those two kids, Overton and Terry, are only eighteen, and they beat you at every point in soldierliness."
"Soldiering is a kid's game," growled Dowley.