"And I'm not talking much now; I want to think." "Must have been a real 'cussing-out' that you got," grinned the other sergeant unconcernedly.
Bending over a passing soldier murmured to Mock: "Top wants to see you in the company office when you're through eating." The first sergeant of a company is also known, in Army parlance, as the "top sergeant" or the "top cutter." Though he dawdled with his meal Mock did not eat much more.

Finally he rose, stalking sulkily from the mess-room and across the central corridor.

Thrusting out a hand he turned the knob of the door of the company office and almost flung the door open, stepping haughtily inside.
"Mock," said First Sergeant Lund, looking up, "you're too old in the service to enter in that fashion.

You know, as well as I do, that there is a 'knock' sign painted on the door, and that only an officer is privileged to enter without knocking.

Suppose the captain had been in here when you flung in in that fashion ?" "He's no better than any one else!" retorted Mock.
Facing about in his chair Sergeant Lund briefly rested one hand on his desk, then sprang to his feet.
"Attention!" he commanded sharply.
Mock obeyed, throwing his head up, his chest out and squaring his shoulders as he dropped his hands straight along either trousers seam, though he sneered: "Putting on officer's airs, are you, Lund ?" "No; I appear to be talking to a rookie (recruit) who happens to be wearing a sergeant chevrons," retorted the top sternly.
"Sergeant Mock, in this office, or anywhere in my presence, you will refrain from making disrespectful remarks about your officers And I'd advise you to adopt that as your standard at all times and in all places.