“They court-martialled that guy, a feller told me,” went on Hoggenback. “An' what d'ye think they did to him? Retired on half pay. He was a major.” “Gawd, if I iver git out o' this army, I'll be so goddam glad,” began Happy. Hoggenback interrupted: “That you'll forgit all about the raw deal they gave you, an' tell everybody how fine ye liked it.” Andrews felt the mocking notes of the bugle outside stabbing his ears. A non-com's voice roared: “Quiet,” from the end of the building, and the lights went out. Already Andrews could hear the deep breathing of men asleep. He lay awake, staring into the darkness, his body throbbing with the monotonous rhythms of the work of the day. He seemed still to hear the sickening whine in the man's voice as he talked to the sergeant outside in the twilight. “And shall I be reduced to that?” he was asking himself. Andrews was leaving the latrine when he heard a voice call softly, “Skinny.” “Yes,” he said. “Come here, I want to talk to you.” It was the Kid's voice. There was no light in the ill-smelling shack that served for a latrine. Outside they could hear the guard humming softly to himself as he went back and forth before the barracks door. “Let's you and me be buddies, Skinny.” “Sure,” said Andrews. “Say, what d'you think the chance is o' cuttin' loose?” “Pretty damn poor,” said Andrews. “Couldn't you just make a noise like a hoop an' roll away?” They giggled softly. Andrews put his hand on the boy's arm. “But, Kid, it's too risky. I got in this fix by taking a risk. I don't feel like beginning over again, and if they catch you, it's desertion. Leavenworth for twenty years, or life. That'd be the end of everything.” “Well, what the hell's this?” “Oh, I don't know; they've got to let us out some day.” “Sh... sh....” Kid put his hand suddenly over Andrews's mouth. They stood rigid, so that they could hear their hearts pounding. Outside there was a brisk step on the gravel. The sentry halted and saluted. The steps faded into the distance, and the sentry's humming began again. “They put two fellers in the jug for a month for talking like we are.... In solitary,” whispered Kid. “But, Kid, I haven't got the guts to try anything now.” “Sure you have, Skinny. You an' me's got more guts than all the rest of 'em put together. God, if people had guts, you couldn't treat 'em like they were curs. Look, if I can ever get out o' this, I've got a hunch I can make a good thing writing movie scenarios. I want to get on in the world, Skinny.” “But, Kid, you won't be able to go back to the States.” “I don't care. New Rochelle's not the whole world. They got the movies in Italy, ain't they?” “Sure. Let's go to bed.” “All right. Look, you an' me are buddies from now on, Skinny.” Andrews felt the Kid's hand press his arm.