Question

again the platoon was wheeled, and again belcher pushed out ahead of the line, and broke it unnecessarily in the centre. brightly, who was at the pivot, watching the alignment, was exasperated beyond endurance. he passed swiftly down the front, and struck the flat of his sword against belchers breastplate with force enough to make it clatter.
\keep back!\ he shouted; \keep back! an idiot would know enough to keep the line!\
the platoon was no sooner halted than belcher stepped one pace to the front, and brought his hand up against his musket at the shoulder with a force that made it rattle, thus signifying his desire to speak.
\step back into the ranks, sir!\ ordered brightly. \take your place, i say!\ as the lad hesitated. \ill do what talkings to be done, and youll obey orders!\
belcher stepped back, muttering angrily, his face pale with passion and his eyes flashing fiercely.
as used in the fifth paragraph, the phrase keep the line most nearly means:

• obey orders.
• stay in alignment.
• be careful.
• follow company policy.

Explanation:

The text describes a military platoon where Brightly, at the pivot, is watching the alignment. Belcher pushed out ahead of the line, frustrating Brightly. The phrase "keep the line" is yelled after Belcher broke the formation's alignment, so it refers to staying in the correct formation alignment.

Answer:

stay in alignment.