human
Did you see that, Bob? he complained furiously,
gpt
If I don't get that fellow!
human
I certainly did! Are you going to stand for that? What's eating him, anyway? Has he got it in for you again? But _he_ isn't a very easy fellow to get, you know. He has the reputation----
gpt
Oh, I know! Yes, I guess anyhow _I know_!
human
Oh, I see! Licked you, too, once, did he? laughed Wetherill,
gpt
Oh, having some fun with his girl! At least I suppose she must have been his girl the way he carried on about it. He said he didn't know her, but of course that was all bluff. Then, too, I called his father a name he didn't like and he lit into me again. Good night! I thought that was the end of little Harry! I was sick for a week after he got through with me. He certainly is some brute. Of course, I didn't realize what I was up against at first or I'd have got the upper hand right away. I could have, you know! I've been trained! But I didn't want to hurt the fellow and get into the papers. You see, the circumstances were peculiar just then----
human
I see! You'd just applied for Officer's Training Camp?
gpt
Exactly, and you know you never can tell what rumor a person like that can start. He's keen enough to see the advantage, of course, and follow it up. Oh, he's got one coming to him all right!
human
Yes, he's keen all right. That's the trouble. It's hard to get him.
gpt
Well, just wait. I've got him now. If I don't make him bite the dust! Ye gods! When I think of the way he looks at me every time he sees me I could skin him alive!
human
I fancy he'd be rather slippery to skin. I wouldn't like to try it, Harry!
gpt
Well, but wait till you see where I've got him! He's in the draft. He goes next week. And they're sending all those men to our camp! He'll be a private, of course, and he'll have to _salute me_! Won't that gall him?
human
He won't do it! I know him, and _he won't do it_!
gpt
I'll take care that he does it all right! I'll put myself in his way and _make_ him do it. And if he refuses I'll report him and get him in the guard house. See? I can, you know. Then I guess he'll smile out of the other side of his mouth!
human
He won't likely be in your company.
gpt
That doesn't make any difference. I can get him into trouble if he isn't, but I'll try to work it that he is if I can. I've got 'pull,' you know, and I know how to 'work' my superiors!
human
That isn't very good policy, advised the other,
gpt
I've heard of men picking off officers they didn't like when it came to battle.
human
I'll take good care that he's in front of me on all such occasions!