“Very jolly,” was the reply.
“Well, don’t get swelled head over it, young un. I’m thinking that if this is going to be the sort of thing, we shan’t want to go back to Roumwallah, Calcutta, or anywhere else.”
“Why?”
“Because we are going to be the greatest people in the Rajah’s army, and we shall want to stay.”
“Nonsense!”
“Oh, no, it isn’t. In about a month old Hulton yonder, perched up like an idol in a temple, will be made field-marshal; I shall be a general; and as for you—oh, you shall be my aide-de-camp.”
“Thank ye,” said Dick.
“Oh, I shall behave well to you if you’re a good boy. What are you thinking about?”
“I was thinking it strange that nature should have given elephants such ridiculous little tails as that in front.”
“Get out! You weren’t.”