Ted was silent. He glanced around, and beheld a tall, bearded man, whom he had never seen before—a man with stern and forbidding look, in untidy civilian attire. The major’s glance followed, and an expression of annoyance came into his face as he noticed the stranger.
“Well, my good fellow, what do you want here?” he exclaimed.
“I? Oh, I’m just looking round.”
“Oh! Then you’d better get back to whatever your business may be.”
The man was silent for a moment.
“Won’t that lad obey you?” he asked presently.
“No, that I shall not,” Ted asserted firmly, though feeling very miserable.
“What right have you, lad,” continued the stranger sternly, “to question your superior officer’s commands? Your business is to obey.”
“And obey he will,” the major declared with an oath, “or I’ll know the reason why!”
“That’s right, sir,” agreed the tall man. “Always insist on obedience from your juniors.”