Tom was used to being interrupted in the midst of his sometimes rambling answers.

He could never learn the good military rule of being brief and explicit.
"How do you feel about going over the top?
You don't have to." "It's just what I was thinking about," said Tom eagerly.

"If you'd be willing, I'd like to." "Of course you'd be under fire.

Care to volunteer?
Emergency work." "Often I wished----" "Care to volunteer ?" "Yes, sir, I do." "All right; go inside and get some sleep.

They'll wake you up in about an hour.