Jack turned to Frank.
“It’s your turn, Frank,” he said.
Frank hung back.
“Let Lord Hastings go first,” he protested.
Lord Hastings raised a hand.
“I am still your commander,” he said severely. “You will crawl into the tube, sir.”
Frank looked long at him, and again started to protest. Lord Hastings’ face was inflexible.
Frank drew himself up to attention.
“Very well, sir,” he said quietly.
He approached Jack and held out his hand, which the latter grasped with vise-like fingers and squeezed.