This task Hal performed rather well for the first time trying. But Shrimp found a lot of fault, volubly, then finally shoved Hal Overton aside and finished the bed-making with a few deft touches. "Now, turn up yer mattress, and fold yer bedding," ordered the corporal. Hal started patiently to obey, but there was no pleasing Shrimp. He vented a couple of oaths, evidently in order to make the matter clearer. "Now, do it over again," ordered Shrimp roughly. "This fellow is venting his spite on us because he's angry at the way Sergeant Brimmer relieved him this afternoon," thought Hal hotly. Yet he tried patiently to follow out his instructions. In the meantime four or five other recruits had entered the squad room. "Here ye gibbering monkey! Not that way!" snarled Shrimp. "Stand aside!" Seizing Hal by the shoulders Shrimp deliberately hurled him out into the middle of the squad room. Hal did not fall, but he wheeled about, his eyes flashing. Corporal Shrimp stood surveying him angrily. "Making faces at me, are ye, ye Army-lawyer?" howled Shrimp, springing toward Hal. He launched a blow full at the young rookie. Private Overton, who had some knowledge of boxing and of its companion foot-work, stepped aside. But as Shrimp recovered and prepared to launch another blow, Hal Overton threw his hands up at guard. Then recollecting that he was a private soldier, under discipline, Hal let his hands fall uselessly at his side, while a hot flush of shame mounted to his brow. "Going to hit me, were ye?" sneered Shrimp, in an ugly tone. "It's well ye didn't! Now, stand where ye are till I take some of the conceit out of ye!" Shrimp raised his right fist deliberately. "Corporal!" There was no mistaking that crisp tone. It was one of sharp command. Sergeant Brimmer, who had just opened the door and looked in, now came striding down the squad room. "Corporal, stand at attention!" Shrimp wheeled about, coming to the position of the soldier as he faced the sergeant. But the corporal's countenance was still as black as thunder. Sergeant Brimmer, too, was thoroughly angry, though righteously so. "Corporal Shrimp, you're in arrest for striking at and humiliating a private soldier. Come with me to the company commander." "Now, see here, Sergeant," began Shrimp hoarsely, "you don't know what I have to put up with with these rookies. I have to do something to keep discipline among men who are new to barracks. I----" "Hold your tongue and come with me," insisted Sergeant Brimmer crisply. There was no disregarding that angry, authoritative tone. As the sergeant wheeled Shrimp turned and went with him, as though stricken suddenly dumb. "Good enough!" rose a cry, as the door closed on the two non-coms. "Got what he needs," muttered some one else. "I hope he stays in arrest," added another rookie. "This squad room was a good deal like a madhouse when the sergeant wasn't here."