About a week later Dick was summoned to the lieutenant’s rooms; and, upon reaching them, it was quite plain that something was wrong. For Lacey looked black as thunder as he walked up and down.
“What have I done to offend him?” thought Dick, as he waited for the young officer to speak.
“Sit down!” growled Lacey; and Dick obeyed.
“It’s beyond bearing!” exclaimed the lieutenant. “I’ll clean my own boots, and brush my own clothes. I’m sick of it!”
“Nothing to do with me,” thought Dick; and he ventured a remark.
“Can I help you in any way, sir?”
“No—yes; play something soothing to me. I’m put out. No, don’t. It’s like making a fool of myself.”
Dick thought so, too, but he did not say anything; while the lieutenant went on pacing the room for a few minutes, and then faced round.
“What do you think he has done now?”
“Who, sir—the colonel?”