DAY TWO

2. Before I had even begun to figure out what was going on, the door burst open and Sergeant Parker exploded into the room yelling, "Come on you dozy lot, let's be having you out of get - is this bed or a slang term? right now!" He was joined by Corporal Tomkins and together they went up and down the rows of beds, ripping blankets off people who were desperately trying to hang on to the last vestiges of sleep.

12. For the next hour our room looked like a rummage sale in a church basement. Hardly anyone had been lucky enough to get a fit the first, the first time, so we yelled out the sizes we had and the sizes we wanted. We dressed, undressed, dressed, undressed and dressed again, until most of us were satisfied with the results of our swaps.

28. Unfortunately I mistook his what, exclamation point, for a what, question mark, and so though he desired me to recapitulate. "I said I'm not calling you a liar unless you keep saying I was given four pairs of drawers when I know I only got three pains, Sergeant," I explained, looking up into his purple-mottled face.

40. "Well, for small things the punishment is usually being confined to barracks (CP - it's CB in para 42, which seems more logical), with an extra duty such as cleaning up the regimental area, or scrubbing out the mess, or preparing vegetables and other work in the kitchens," he answered. "For more serious crimes one could be sent to regimental prison or even military prison," he concluded. I digested this information as we started to walk again.

57. "Alright Private, attention!" he commanded. I sprang to attention.

64. "Address the Captain as 'Sir: quote, not colon Private," the sergeant ordered.

66. The Captain read the charge sheet again and raised his eyes to mine. "I am prepared to believe you were not issued the garment in question, however, I must find you guilty of insubordination," he said. "So I sentence you to 14 days, C.B. - no periods in paras 40 and 42 with extra duty. Therefore, starting tomorrow, you will report at Defaulter's parade every day at 1900 hours until your punishment is completed. You recruits must learn to obey orders without question and never argue with your superiors. That is all."

78. "Is it alright if I get my other pair of underwear while I'm this close to the stores, Sergeant?" I asked.