We slept two to a bed, four to a room.
Not always the same four, for like soldiers on the firing line, some comrade was missing after every battle.
These fights started in friendly banter.

One fellow would begin teasing another about his girl.

The whole table would take it up, every man doing his best to insult and enrage the victim.

It was all fun until some fellow's temper broke under the strain.

Then a rush, and a few wild swings that missed.