Combed Out. F. A. Voigt

you'll be two men short without me."

      "Get back, will you, and do as you're told."

      I did not move.

      "D'you refuse to obey the order? Get back at once, or I'll have you put under arrest."

      I turned away and the blood rushed into my face with vexation. I even forgot my numb feet in thinking of the long dreary day before me, with no one to talk to.

      "Corporal Locke's party!"

      I saw another friend of mine fall out and I went with him. Corporal Locke counted his men and found he had one too many. He looked down the ranks, he saw me, and said:

      "You don't belong to my party—you'll have to go somewhere else."

      "I want to work with Private Black—I've been on your party before."

      "I don't remember you. Anyhow, you weren't with me yesterday—I'm sorry, but I can't have you."

      "Nobody'll notice the difference."