Captain Hathaway blushed, and turning toward Cobb, said, apologetically:
“I am cognizant of your good fortune and new rank. I congratulate you. You will pardon my rudeness to you this morning, will you not, Colonel Cobb? Some time I will explain why I so far forgot myself,” and he dropped his eyes to the floor.
“Captain Hathaway, let it be forgotten,” frankly extending his hand. “Let us be friends, not enemies.”
Hathaway grasped the hand and wrung it with a sincere grasp of friendship. Then, saluting Cobb, he reported to him for orders.
“You are under orders to join your regiment, are you not?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you wish to go?”
“Well, to tell you the truth, there is every reason for wishing to remain; but they will not allow me to do so,” sadly.
“Who will not?”