“Take it off!”
Sergeant Gray obeyed. Once off, the full extent of his iniquity, as to his undershirt, underbreeches and socks, was revealed.
“Scrap the clothing this man is wearing,” ordered the inspector. And to Sergeant Gray: “Show me your issue uniforms.”
Now the sergeant was hard on clothing, and particularly on breeches. Also he had given one uniform to Watt, the cook. The single one he was able to produce was badly worn; so badly, indeed, that the camp inspector with his two hands tore the breeches apart, at a vital spot, and flung them on the floor. Something in Sergeant Gray’s breast seemed to tear also and sink to the floor.
“Scrap this one also,” ordered the camp inspector.
“Sir——” ventured Sergeant Gray desperately.
But the camp inspector had discovered something, namely: That the issue uniforms of the Headquarters Troop of the ——th Division were of poor material. Slowly and carefully he went through the lot. Sharply and decisively, at the end, he gave his orders.
“IF A MAN FROM THE HEADQUARTERS TROOP OVERSTAYS HIS LEAVE, WHAT HAPPENS TO HIM, UNCLE JIMMY?” See page [76]
“Scrap every uniform in the troop,” he said, “and send this order to the camp quartermaster.”