It was with some trepidation that Jack entered the trumpet-major’s quarters in response to the shouted ‘Come in,’ after he had knocked; but the friendly look with which he was greeted did much towards putting him at his ease.
‘Oh Blair,’ said the trumpet-major, ‘I wanted to see you. I’m very pleased at the progress you’ve made—very. So far as your ability to sound is concerned you’re quite fit to take duty with the others, and the riding-master tells me he shall soon dismiss you from the rides. You’ve done very well.’
Jack coloured with pleasure, for he felt that he had made his first step on the road to success.
‘You’ve done so well that I’m going to get you posted to a troop’ said the trumpet-major. ‘Brittain, of D Troop, is going into the band, and I shall send you in his place. You can don the cross-trumpets as soon as you like.’
This news was more than ever agreeable to Jack. D Troop was Captain Norrey’s and Sergeant Barrymore’s, so that Jack felt that he would be amongst those whom he liked best.
‘As you won’t join your troop till next week,’ said the trumpet-major kindly, ‘how would you like a day or two of leave? You’ve got people somewhere near, haven’t you?’
Jack’s heart gave a prodigious leap. ‘I have,’ he replied, ‘and I should like above all things to see them.’
‘Very well, then. To-day’s Tuesday; I will arrange for you to have from Friday night till next Tuesday. How’ll that do?’
‘Splendidly.’
‘That’s all right then. Now, run away.’