human
You came into the army to do just as I tell you, and you'll do it. Silence in the ranks, commanded Si.
gpt
Humphreys, stand next to Mackall. Scruggs, stand behind Humphreys.
human
Why do you put one man behind another? queried Monty Scruggs.
gpt
I don't think that's right.--Jim's big head'll be forever in my way, so's I can't see anything. Why don't you put us out in one line, like a class in school? Then everybody's got the same show.
human
I didn't make the tactics. Git into your places,
gpt
Well, I don't think much of a teacher that can't explain what he's teaching,
human
Now, Russell, stand next to Humphreys; Baker, stand behind Russell; Skidmore, stand next to Russell.
gpt
Goody, I'm in the front rank,
human
Now, commanded Si,
gpt
Look here, Jim Humphreys, grumbled Monty Scruggs,
human
Silence in the ranks, commanded Si.
gpt
Draw your stomachs in, put your little fingers down to the seams of your pantaloons--
human
You mean the middle finger, don't you? queried Monty Scruggs.
gpt
That's more natural way of standing.
human
No, I mean the little finger,
gpt
But the middle finger is more natural, persisted Monty.
human
You can't stand straight with your little finger at the seam. See here.
gpt
Scruggs, do as I say, without no words,
human
Now, keep your faces straight to the front, and at the command 'Right dress!' turn your eyes, without moving your heads, until you kin see the buttons on the breast of the second man to the right. 'Right dress!'
gpt
There's no man on my right for me to look toward. What 'm I to do?
human
There, you see what come o' putting him in front, exulted Harry Joslyn.
gpt
Now, if I'd bin--
human
Say, I can't see up to Jim Humphreys' big breast without twistin' my neck nearly off, murmured little Pete Skidmore.
gpt
Can't you make him scrooch a little? Jest see him swell up.
human
What's the use o' linin' on a feller that can't stand still a second?
gpt
Great Scott, what a line, groaned Si, walking along, shoving the boys back, and twisting them around, to get them straight.
human
Crooked as a pumpkin vine in a cornfield. Here, I told you not to turn your heads, but only your eyes. If you snipes wouldn't gab so much, but listen to what I say, you'd git along better. Silence in ranks. Now, try it over again. Faces straight to the front. Eyes cast to the right, until they catch the buttons on the breast of the second man. Right dress!
gpt
Great grief, sighed he, looking at the result.
human
You wriggle about like so many eels. Might as well try to line up so many kittens. Won't you straighten Up and keep straight?
gpt
Now bring your toes to that line, and keep 'em there.
human
Shall we take that scratch along with us as we march, or will you draw another one for us as we need it?