As they were talking, a leisurely rhythm of drumbeats emerged from the north side of the parade ground.
The instructor in charge of training immediately called a halt and began to gather the troops. A team of police officers closest to the parade ground's main gate were already lining up and running towards a grey building not far away.
Dibowa patted Alexander on the shoulder and gestured towards the grey building, "It's time for lunch. Oh, what day is it today?"
"Wednesday."
"Oh, right, it's Wednesday. You're in luck; today there's beef stew and butter pea soup."
In the spacious dining hall, Alexander, looking at the hundreds of cadets waiting for their meal, asked in a low voice, "Francois, aren't we going to the officers' mess hall?"
Dibowa said as if it were obvious, "This is the officers' mess hall, and of course, also the cadets' dining hall."