“Just as if it was likely that we should do anything rash,” said Drummond pettishly later on. “I’m sure I’m always as careful as can be.”
“Always!” said Roberts, laughing, and giving Bracy a peculiar look.
“Here, I say—what does that mean? You two are chaffing me again.”
“Oh dear, no,” said Bracy. “Our consciences are smiting us for being so reckless, and we’re making up our minds to be more careful in future.”
“Yes, as the Colonel suggests,” chimed in Roberts, “and take friend Drummond o’ that ilk for our example.”
“Here! Yes, you are chaffing me,” cried Drummond anxiously. “I say, old chaps, though—you don’t think I am rash, do you?”
“Rather,” said Roberts.
“Bosh with your rather! Chaff, because I’m so tall and thin. Bracy, you’re not half such a boy as the Captain. You don’t think I’m wild and harum-scarum, do you—regularly rash?”
“Well, to speak frankly,”—began Bracy.
“Of course I want you to be frank,” cried Drummond hastily. “That’s why I like you chaps.”