“’Ain’t been over long, have you?” asked Neil of O. D. as Jimmy disappeared through the doorway.
“Just about two months. Spent all my time down at the replacement camps waiting to be sent to some outfit.”
“Well, you are gettin’ in with a darn good outfit and Jimmy’s a great guy for a friend. He’ll show you ’round the front.”
“Guess I’ll feel kind of funny going up there with all you fellows that are used to it,” said O. D.
“Not at all; you’ll never know the difference. Two or three days and you’ll think you’ve been there all your life. After a month you’ll hardly ever know you used to live in a house back in the States. Gets in your blood. Just like the mud up there gets all over you. Make friends with the cooties. Then you’re all set,” explained Neil.
“Jerk aloose from that table and let two good men monjay,” shouted Pop Rigney and Joyce, pushing their door open and making for what was left in one of the dishes.
“MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE COOTIES. THEN YOU’RE ALL SET”
“Meet Jimmy’s friend, O. D. This is Pop Rigney, the oldest man in this man’s army, and the other fellow is Joyce, our supply sergeant.” The men shook hands all around and sat down.
“I got that water. Had to walk almost a mile to find it,” said Jimmy, entering. “Well, Rigney, you old bald-headed monkey, you got up, eh? Guess Joyce’s mess-hound appetite did it. Well, you can monjay what I left.”