The sergeant, noting the ring of truth in the other man’s voice and the look of sincerity plainly visible upon his face, threw his arms about Steve and shouted for joy, forgetting all about his much-needed rest and the fatiguing work of the past two days.
“Cut it out!” Graham demanded, breaking loose with much difficulty from Panama’s embrace. “Save that for your nursie.”
Williams thanked Steve again and again, telling him to run back to the field hospital and explain to Elinor that he would be along in a few moments. As the boy started back, he threw the tent flaps apart and boisterously entered.
As his eyes fell upon Lefty decked out in full dress uniform, he stopped cold in surprise, believing the boy to be either drunk or part loco.
“Where do you think you’re goin’, all dolled up like Mrs. Astor’s pet horse?”
“What do you mean?” Lefty asked without looking up.
“The dress uniform, here in Nicaragua, during a campaign! What’s the idea?”
“I’m going out!”
“Where?”
“Just out!”