“Then you’ve been sticking up for me?”
“In some things—yes. Why, it was only yesterday Captain Hulton said there was not a finer soldier in the troop. Yes; and he said it went against his grain to see a brave man treated like a dog, but that discipline must be preserved for every one’s sake.”
“Ah, it’s all too late—too late, sir.”
“Nonsense, Hanson! It’s never too late to mend.”
“Yes, it is, sir, when the stuff’s all rotten. I’ve gone to the bad, and I’m done for, and the sooner I’m hung and out of my misery the better.”
“You think so now because you’re sentenced to be flogged.”
“Yes; and that’s the last straw.”
“I say, Hanson, weren’t you once a gentleman? Tell me.”
“Silence!” cried the man fiercely, and the sentry once more came to the door.
“Nothing: all right.”