Звездный десант

           Youcouldtakeanapnow,andthen—"

           "Forgetit,Sarge!Iamnotgoingtosleep;Iamgoingtomaketheroundsofthelisteningpostsandwatchforthatsappercompany."

           "Verywell,sir."

           "I’llchecknumberthreewhileI’mhere.YoustaytherewithBrumbyandcatchsomerestwhileI—"

           "Johnnie!"

           Ibrokeoff."Yes,Captain?"HadtheOldManbeenlistening?

           "Areyourpostsallset?"

           "Yes,Captain,andmyoddnumbersaresleeping.Iamabouttoinspecteachpost.Then—"

           "Letyoursergeantdoit.Iwantyoutorest."

           "But,Captain—"

           "Liedown.That’sadirectorder.Preparetosleep...one...two...three—Johnnie!"

           "Captain,withyourpermission,Iwouldliketoinspectmypostsfirst.ThenI’llrest,ifyousayso,butIwouldratherremainawake.I—"

           Blackieguffawedinmyear."Look,son,you’vesleptforanhourandtenminutes."

           "Sir?"

           "Checkthetime."Ididsoandfeltfoolish."Youwideawake,son?"

           "Yes,sir.Ithinkso."

           "Thingshavespeededup.Callyouroddnumbersandputyourevennumberstosleep.Withluck,theymaygetanhour.Soswap‘emaround,inspectyourposts,andcallmeback."

           Ididsoandstartedmyroundswithoutawordtomyplatoonsergeant.