page20 (1/2)

"As far as I know," said Graff, "there is no religious ritual associated with Santa Claus, and Santa Claus has not been sighted here in Battle School"

"Double standard!" shouted Ahmed, and several others echoed him

Graff ignored him and left the mess hall

The door had not closed when two dozen Marines cah the door and stationed themselves around the room

When the time for prayer came, Ahmed and several others immediately prostrated themselves Marines came to them, forced them to their feet, and handcuffed them The Marine lieutenant looked around the room "Anyone else?"

One more soldier lay down to pray; he was also handcuffed No one else defied thehly, but not all that gently, either

Zeck turned his attention back to his food

"This makes you happy, doesn't it?" whispered Dink

Zeck turned a blank face toward him

"You did this," said Dink softly

"I'retted speaking as soon as he finished He should have remained silent

"You're not a good liar, Zeck," said Dink And noas talking loud enough that the rest of the table could hear "Don't get , I think it's one of your best points--you're used to telling the truth, so you never learned the skill of telling lies"

"I don't lie," said Zeck

"Your words were literally true, I'm sure Our Muslim friends did not consult you on the timetable But as an answer to my accusation that you did this, it was such a pathetically obvious lie A dodge If you really had nothing to do with it, you wouldn't have needed a dodge You answered like so to hide"

This ti