“Let that wait, doctor,” said the colonel.
“Come along, Lennox,” cried Dickenson, after darting a furious glance at Roby. “Very, very glad to see you once more in your place.”
No one else spoke for a few moments, and the dinner was about to be commenced, when Roby suddenly rose to his feet.
“Colonel Lindley,” he said, in a husky voice full of rage, “are you aware who is present here this evening?”
“Yes, Captain Roby,” said the colonel sternly. “I desired Mr Lennox, now that he is convalescent, to return to his usual place at the mess-table.”
Roby’s jaw dropped, and he stared at the officers around as if silently asking them whether he heard aright. But every man averted his eyes and assumed to be busy commencing the miserable meal.
“Well!” exclaimed Roby at last; and then in a tone which expressed his utter astonishment: “Well.”
“Sit down, Captain Roby,” continued the colonel, raising his eyebrows as he saw that his subordinate was still standing.
“I beg your pardon, sir,” said Roby stiffly, after looking round in vain for something in the way of moral support from his brother officers, who all sat frowning at their portions.
“Yes?” said the colonel calmly.