“But look here, boy, there’s a tremendous deal done by a lad who makes up his mind to try; do you see?”
“Yes sir, I see,” I said, looking at him wonderingly, for he did not seem to want to get rid of me now, as he was holding me tightly by the arm.
“’Member coming for the strawberries?” he said drily.
“Yes, sir.”
“Thought me a disagreeable old fellow, didn’t you then?”
I hesitated, but he looked at me sharply.
“Yes, sir, I did then,” I said. “I did not know how kind you could be.”
“That’s just what I am,” he said gruffly; “very disagreeable.”
I shook my head.
“I am,” he said. “Ask any of my men and women. Here—what’s going to become of you, my lad—what are you going to be—soldier like your father?”