“Not in the service at all, sir. General's groom, sir.”
“You're in fatigue dress?”
“Yes, sir. Old custom, sir. Like the feel of it, sir.”
“Been here long?”
“Ten years, sir.”
“Why, how's this? You don't look a day over forty.”
“Forty-two, sir. Joined the band at home as a boy. Sixteenth Lancers, sir.”
“What's your name?”
“Hinge, sir. Robert Hinge, sir. Son of Bob Hinge, sir. Tattenham Fancy. Champion of the light-weights years back, sir.”
“Oh! What have you been getting into trouble about?”