“’Tain’t my fault it’s empty,” said Private Bliss, pathetically.
“Tain’t mine,” said Bill.
“I’ve ’eard,” said the cook, who was a tenderhearted man, “as ‘ow it’s a good thing to go for a day or so without food sometimes.”
“Who said so?” inquired Private Bliss, hotly.
“Diff’rent people,” replied the cook.
“You can tell ’em from me they’re blamed fools,” said Mr. Bliss.
There was an uncomfortable silence; Mr. Bliss lit his pipe, but it did not seem to draw well.
“Did you like that pot o’ six-half I stood you last night?” he inquired somewhat pointedly of Bob.
Bob hesitated and looked at his plate.
“No, it was a bit flat,” he said at length.