“I don’t understand you,” I said angrily; but it was not true.
“Then I’ll tell you what I mean. You have always hung on the apron-string of Mr Brace, and a nice pair there are of you. The troop’s going to ruin, and I shall tell Lacey so. I’m not going to stand it. Here, you came out, a mere schoolboy, and before you’ve been two years in the foot, you are selected to come into what used to be the smartest troop in the Company’s service. I’m not blind. It’s all grossly unfair. You’ve got relatives on the board, and it’s all money and interest. It’s a disgrace to the service.”
“Do you mean I am a disgrace to the troop?” I said hotly.
“Yes, I do,” he cried savagely; “and I know well enough one of these days how it will be. There will be some excuse made, and you will be promoted over me; and if you are, I warn you I won’t rest until the whole miserable bit of trickery has been exposed.”
“You would be clever if you did expose anything, for there is nothing for you to expose. My uncle did write to head-quarters, I know, but I read his letter first.”
“What did it say?”
“And he only asked for my wishes to be acceded to, if I was found worthy.”
“Found worthy!” he cried, with a mocking laugh, which made my cheeks burn. “Found worthy! It’s a disgrace to the service!”
“Oh, there, I’m not going to quarrel with you,” I said, fighting down my annoyance.
“No, and I am not going to quarrel with you, but for a couple of annas I’d give you a downright horsewhipping.”