“Please, sir, I did. It was Burr major.”
“Dear me! Indeed? Mr Burr, have the goodness to stand up and explain this extraordinary conduct.”
Oh, poor old Eely! I thought sympathetically, as poor Burr major stood up, hanging his head, and looking much shorter than usual, and I heartily wished that Mercer had punished Dicksee more.
“Dear me! Burr major, what is the er—er—eh? I beg your pardon, Mr Rebble.”
The Doctor bent toward his first lieutenant with great dignity, and the latter said a few words in a low tone.
“Dear me! Indeed? Oh, I see!” said the Doctor. “Burr major, you can sit down. You will come to my room directly after dinner, and—er—er—what names did you say Mr Rebble?”
“Oh dear! It’s coming, Frank,” whispered Mercer.
“Exactly!” said the Doctor, after a conference in a low tone with Mr Rebble. “I see. Er—rum! Dicksee, Hodson.”
“Please, sir, I wasn’t fighting,” cried Hodson excitedly.
Mr Rebble whispered to the Doctor.