Disregarding the broad hint to leave, Mr. Billings again spoke:
"Is it your wish, sir, that any punishment should be imposed on the men who were equally in fault with O'Grady?"
Buxton muttered something unintelligible from under his blankets.
"I did not understand you, sir," said the lieutenant, very civilly.
Buxton savagely propped himself up on one elbow, and blurted out,—
"No, Mr. Billings! no! When I want a man punished I'll give the order myself, sir."
"And is it still your wish, sir, that I make O'Grady walk the rest of the way?"
For a moment Buxton hesitated; his better nature struggled to assert itself and induce him to undo the injustice of his order; but the "cad" in his disposition, the weakness of his character, prevailed. It would never do to let his lieutenant get the upper hand of him, he argued, and so the reply came, and came angrily.
"Yes, of course; he deserves it anyhow, by ——! and it'll do him good."
Without another word Mr. Billings turned on his heel and left him.