“I never had one of my own, but my father had a large practice and had to go very long distances. He always kept three horses, and I could have one of them whenever I liked. I used to ride round with him to visit his patients. He never cared about riding then. He had all the accidents to attend that happened at the hunt.”
“How was it you didn’t turn doctor?” said Hulton.
“Wanted to be a soldier,” said Dick shortly. “I used to want to have a commission in the cavalry; but my father said he had no interest to get me a commission, and I must go to the Company’s college at Addiscombe, and fight my way up so as to get into the horse brigade.”
“And you were a lucky fellow to get appointed so soon.”
“Yes; but my father knew Sir George Hemsworth, and he promised to help me if I could show a good set of testimonials from Addiscombe.”
“And I suppose you did?” said Captain Hulton.
“I don’t know,” replied Dick quietly. “I tried all I could; but I was dreadfully disappointed to find I had to go into the foot artillery first.”
“Thought you ought to have been appointed to the command of a troop of horse right off—eh?” said the captain.
Dick shook his head.
“I wasn’t quite so stupid as that, sir,” he said quietly.