Dick was silent.
“But don’t you be downhearted, sir. You shall have your rights. What d’ye say to sending a petition to the Queen? I’m told that she’s a very nice old lady, when you know her.”
Dick laughed.
“Why should she believe me?”
“Because you’re a gent, sir. Anybody could see that with half a heye. But, look here, sir, there—”
“Will you leave off saying ‘sir’? I am Dick Smithson.”
“Oh, very well, Dick Smithson. There must be a way out of the wood. What do you say to me killing him—by accident?”
“I say, talk sense, man!”
“Right; I will. I wish I was in your regiment, though. One could see you oft’ner like, and settle things with you. I s’pose if I was to desert and ’list in yours, they’d make a row about it?”
“No doubt about that, Jerry.”