Read Morgan: Sergeant Hapgood Tasker

Quotes 

• [Sarge stops a runaway wagon after the driver was shot] 

  Sergeant Hapgood Tasker : Is he all right, son?

  Tommy White : Don't call me "son"! I ain't kin to you... I ain't kin to nobody no more.

• [Clay wants Sarge to look after Tommy until a premanent guardian can be appointed] 

  Sergeant Hapgood Tasker : Oh, no you don't, McCord! You been out in the sun too long. Your brain is as dry as beef jerky! Why, no normal youngster could live in the back of an army supply store.

  Clay McCord : Why? You do.

  Sergeant Hapgood Tasker : But I ain't normal!

• Sergeant Hapgood Tasker : About time you got back, McCord, leavin' me with that wildcat! Now you pack up that kid and get him outta here pronto - four days is enough. Why, I'd rather live with a bunch of Kiowas.

  Clay McCord : Don't tell me he's been givin' you trouble.

  Sergeant Hapgood Tasker : Oh, nothin' to speak of - I mean there ain't a day goes by that he don't pick a fight with some kid. He's got no respect for anything. If I talk to him he goes deaf in both ears. Why, if I keep him around, I'll get drummed out of the service.

  Clay McCord : For what he does?

  Sergeant Hapgood Tasker : No! For what I'm liable to do to him!