“That I speak like a spiteful girl!” cried the lad sharply.
“No, I did not mean that,” said Frank quietly; “but if I had meant it, I should not have been very far from right. I hope that you will think differently after a night’s rest. Come, think differently now, and give up all those mad thoughts which have done nothing but make us fall out. It isn’t too late. Captain Murray is trying to make things pleasant for us; tell him when he comes that you’ll dine with him.”
Andrew made an angry gesture, and Frank shrugged his shoulders, went into the adjoining room to wash his hands, and came back just as the tramp of soldiers was heard outside, the order was given for them to halt, and then followed their heavy footsteps on the stairs.
The next minute Captain Murray entered the room.
“Ready, bloodthirsty prisoner?” he said, smiling.
“Yes, sir, quite,” replied Frank; while Andrew sat at the other end of the room with his back to them.
Frank glanced in his fellow-prisoner’s direction, and then turned back to the captain, and his lips moved quickly as he made a gesture in Andrew’s direction.
The captain read his meaning, nodded, walked up to the lad, and touched him on the shoulder, making him start to his feet.
“Life’s very short, Andrew Forbes,” he said quietly, “and soldiers are obliged to look upon it as shorter for them than for other men. It isn’t long enough to nurse quarrels or bear malice. I think I have heard you say that you hope to be a soldier some day.”
“Yes, I do,” said the lad, with a meaning which the captain could not grasp.