"Any man
that isn't in first class shape by the time assembly blows again
is going to find himself out of luck. Dismissed!"
Everybody saluted, and the Army Boys joined in the rush back to
the barracks. The next hour was a busy one, in which razors, combs
and brushes were applied vigorously, and the man with a complete
shoe cleaning outfit found himself suddenly popular. The scene in
the crowded washrooms resembled pandemonium let loose, but in an
incredibly short time first one man and then another emerged spic
and span, and by the time the bugle blew again there were only a
few stragglers who were caught unprepared. These last threw
themselves desperately into their uniforms, and two minutes after
the bugle sounded every man was standing in his appointed place.
Then followed the preliminary inspection, after which the command
"at ease" was given. Everybody shifted to a more comfortable
position, and prepared for the long delay that they knew would
probably ensue.
"Wonder how long it will be before the general arrives,"
speculated Frank. "It's only about half past nine now, and I don't
believe he'll get here anything like that early.
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