“We’re all ready, sir, and I’ve got some more poles and planks out of the wood-house.”
“Then we’ll start at once,” said Roy; “but I’ll have these guns manned at once to cover our working-party.”
Ben coughed.
“You don’t think that’s right?” said Roy, quickly.
“Well, sir, I wouldn’t have presumed to interfere with my commanding officer’s orders ’fore any one else. But—”
“Now don’t talk nonsense, Ben,” said Roy, warmly. “There’s no one here but Master Pawson, who is as anxious about preserving the place as we are.”
“Indeed, I am,” said the secretary, earnestly.
“So don’t let’s have any of that silly ceremony. I wish you wouldn’t pretend to believe I was so conceited.”
“I don’t, captain,” said Ben, abruptly; “only want you to see when you’re wrong.”
“Then speak out at once. Now then; you don’t think it worth while to man these guns now?”