“There wouldn’t be no harm. I should only have changed from one regiment to another.”
“You know enough about a soldier’s duties to the colours, man. But I wish you were in the 205th with all my heart.”
“And in your company? I could valet you just as I used to.”
“Nonsense! I’m not in any company; and for me to have a servant would be impossible as well as absurd.”
“Well, I can’t see as it would be absurd, because you, being a gent, ought to have your servant. But, to come back to my being in your regiment—ain’t there no way of managing it?”
“I don’t know, Jerry. Officers exchange.”
“There you are: allus a way out of a difficulty, if you can find it. Officers exchange; why shouldn’t privates? I could be no end o’ use to you, Dick Smithson. S’pose we try?”
Dick laughed, and shook his head.
“Impossible, Jerry! We must be content as we are for the present, and meet now and then, and talk matters over till I see my way to get out of this position.”
And it was in this way that they parted.