Young Lonigan - James T. Farrell [102]
“General Kilarney,” said Studs; they laughed.
“This ain’t so bad,” said Studs, starting on his second banana.
“Nope,” said Kenny, swigging water from a milk bottle.
“Wait till we get over there. You’ll be so funny, the Germans will have to laugh at you. Christ, when we get to Berlin I’ll bet you’ll steal the Kaiser’s mustache,” Red said.
“I’ll be a soldier of America,” Kenny said melodramatically.
“I’d like an iron cross to bring back,” said Studs, his face stuffed with banana.
“I can just picture Kenny. When he goosesteps, it’ll be better than Charlie Chaplin,” said Red.
Kenny mimicked the goosestep.
“How do you feel?” asked Red, after Kenny had finished the comedy.
“All right,” Studs valorously said.
“I’m O. K. too,” said Red, slowly reaching for another banana.
“I never felt better. These things agree with me,” Kenny said, biting off almost a half.
“Me too,” said Studs, not to be outdone, as he jammed half of a banana in his mouth.
“Wait till tonight when we go around the poolroom and say: ‘Well, boys, wish us luck!’” Red said.
“Christ, will they be surprised,” said Studs.
“They won’t believe us,” said Red.
“Here, have another, Red,” said Kenny, tossing him one.
Studs took the milk bottle and filled it slowly at the faucet. He looked at the bananas stacked in the basket.
“Jesus, you certainly got enough,” he said.
“Need’em, I’m only a bantamweight,” Kenny replied.
Red took a gulp of water. He set the bottle down and cursed.
“What’s the matter, son? Gettin’ you already? That’s no way to be a soldier,” said Kenny.
“I just drank too fast,” Red said, biting a hunk.
“Say, Kenny, your janitor will like us, dumping these skins all over,” said Studs.
“He’s only a Hunky,” said Kenny.
“You won’t win a war on that stomach, Kelly,” kidded Kilarney after Red had belched.
“I’m all right. It’s only that I drank that water too damn fast. How about you, Studs?”
Studs nodded, reaching towards the basket.
“Kenny, show us how you’re going to bayonet the Clown Quince,” said Studs.
“This is serious,” said Kenny.
He told a dirty joke. It was a scream. In the midst of laughing, Studs hiccoughed.
“Take a drink, Studs,” said Red, fighting his hiccoughs.
“I’ll be all right,” said Studs, not liking the tone of Red’s voice.
“Well, here goes for another,” said Red, reaching for the basket, and looking at Studs, so that Studs would notice him. Studs grimly took another also.
“Maybe you better let up for a while, Studs,” said Red as Studs nibbled.
“No, I just think we’ve all been eating too fast,” Studs answered.
“Jesus Christ. Say, why the hell do we have to eat bananas to go to war?” Kenny suddenly said.
“You got to. You won’t make the weight,” said Red, nibbling.
“You don’t get me, fellow! I just always think of Kilarney’s comfort,” Kenny said.
“You know what General Sherman said. . . . War is Hell,” said Red.
“That was General Sheridan,” snapped Kenny.
They had an argument over which general it had been.
“Say, is there a can here?” asked Studs.
Kenny pointed.
“I’ll bet Studs fell in,” Kenny said, after Studs had remained absent for about five minutes.
“It’s got him,” Red said.
Studs came out in about fifteen minutes, his face white.
“Sick?” asked Red.
“I’m all right,” said Studs, taking a banana.
Red went to the can. He took a long time too. Then Kenny.
Studs looked at the basket, over half full. They ate more and more slowly.
“I won’t eat any more of those goddamn things,” Kenny suddenly said.
“Come on. You want to get in. Well, you gotta have the weight.”
“I’ll stay home if it means eatin’ all that crap,” Kenny said.
“Come on, Kenny. We can’t go on without you,” Red pleaded.
“Jesus, Kenny, won’t you do that much for your country?” said Studs.
“My country can have me, but I don’t see why it makes me eat bananas till I bloat like a balloon,” said Kenny.
“Well, I told you. You have to be a certain weight, or you can’t be accepted. Listen, after it’s all over you’ll be glad. Think of it, going to France. Say, we’ll have a hell of a time. And you’ll come back a hero,