“Think so?” said the sergeant, with a sigh.
“I feel sure!”
“But how can I?”
“Oh, you could manage that. Tell Mr Wilkins you’ve taken a fancy to learn the instrument. I’ll help you.”
The sergeant looked doubtful.
“Then, if it doesn’t get your fat down, you could come in the band. You’d look splendid, marching along with that great brass instrument!”
“Not chaffing me, are you?” said the sergeant, suspiciously.
“Chaffing? No, man. There, I’ll speak out frankly to show you how sincere I am. It does look absurd to see you puffing and panting along at the double with your company. Don’t be offended.”
“No, my lad—no. It does look very stupid. Nobody knows it better than I do.”
“But, marching with the band, your size would not be noticed, especially as you would be carrying that great brass bass instrument with its huge bell-mouth.”