While Captain Sweetsir was lecturing the
tolerant listeners of one squad, he was irritably aware that the boys of
the squads that were not under espionage were doing nigh about everything
that a soldier on duty should not do, their diversions limited only by
their lack of resources.
Therefore, when General Totten complimented him at eleven o'clock, Captain
Sweetsir had no trouble at all in disguising his gratification and in
assuming the approved, sour demeanor of military gravity. Even then his
ears, sharpened by his indignation, caught the clicking of dice on tiles.
"Of course, there will be no actual trouble tonight," said the general,
removing his cap and stroking his bald head complacently. "I have assured
the boys that there will be no trouble. But this experience is excellent
military training for them, and I'm pleased to note that they're
thoroughly on the _qui vive_."
Captain Sweetsir, on his own part, did not apprehend trouble, either, but
the A.-G.'s bland and unconscious encouragement of laxity was distinctly
irritating, "Excuse me, sir, but I have been telling 'em right along that
there will be a rumpus. I was trying to key 'em up!"
"Remember that you're a citizen as well as a soldier!" The general rebuked
his subaltern sternly.
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