“Till the scales of a boyish folly have dropped from yours, Dick. Well, we shall be in accord some day. If I’m wrong I’ll humbly ask your pardon.”
“And if I’m wrong I will yours,” cried Richard. “Now, then, what of Payne’s visit?”
“You will have to meet the Major,” said the Colonel gravely.
“Yes, I suppose so. He could not forgive such an insult as that.”
“You treat it very lightly, Dick. The consequences may be very grave.”
“I hope not,” said Richard. “I am not a soldier, but I am not going to show the white feather, even if I wear it in my heart.”
“Not you,” said the Colonel, as he tapped his companion on the shoulder. “But I should have liked you to be fighting on account of some other lady.”
“And I should not,” cried Richard. “Is this likely to be serious?”
“I should be no true friend to you, my lad, if I concealed the truth from you. It may be very serious.”
“For me?”