Wilson ended by ordering me off and reporting me to the Captain.
Captain Haskell sent for me. He said kindly, "Jones, Sergeant Wilson gives a bad report of you."
"I do the best I can, Captain."
"The sergeant seems to think that you are obstinate on some peculiar point that he did not make me fully understand. He gives you great praise for learning the facings and the steps, but says you will not learn the manual."
"I don't understand my awkwardness, Captain. There is something wrong about it."
"You find the manual difficult?"
"Not only difficult, but absurd," said I; "it makes me nervous."
"And the facings and steps were not difficult?"
"Not at all; they seemed easy and natural."
"Take your gun and come with me," said the Captain; "I think I have a clew to the situation."