“There is no worse,” cried Dick angrily.
“Oh, yes, there is, dear boy; we shall have to go out to a grand parade and see the brutal business done.”
“I won’t,” cried Dick fiercely.
“Yes, you will, old lad. Duty, discipline, and the rest of it.”
“I’d sooner resign my commission.”
“No. It’s for an example to the men; it’s part of the regimental rules, and we can’t break them ourselves. As to throwing up your commission, I should like to catch you at it! Why, it would be playing the sneak to go and leave us in the lurch just when we’re going up-country.”
“Then it isn’t all talk? We are going up-country?”
“I suppose so. Going to help some rajah chap whose next-door neighbour’s trying to nibble away his territory, or something of that kind. Anyhow, it means fighting.”
“But I can’t sit there and see that man flogged, for somehow I like him, Wyatt.”
“Well, it is a bad business, Dick; but duty, old fellow, duty, you know. There, don’t let’s talk any more about it. Only makes one feel low-spirited.”