“Of course, Pete.”
“Thank you, sir. You and me has had so much to do with this business that they ought to let us go on in front over everything.”
“We can’t help it, Pete. Soldiers must obey orders. Still, there’s one thing: they can stick our bodies into hospital, but they can’t stick our hearts. They go where we like. Now, is there anything more you can tell me about what’s going on?”
“Can’t recollect anything, sir. But I shall pick up everything I can; you may depend upon that. I suppose you know, sir, that the Major’s chucking out the orders right and left, and it’s all just as if we were surrounded by the enemy.”
“No, chuckle-head! How could I know all that? You mean, I suppose, that the garrison is in a regular state of siege?”
“Yes, sir, that’s it; only I couldn’t put it like that. Don’t be waxy with a poor private as old Tipsy says is the most wooden-headed chap in the company.”
“Now go on telling me.”
“Sentries are doubled, sir, and the chaps says it’s precious hard now we are so short of men.”
“Then they should draw in the lines,” said Archie eagerly.
“Yes, sir; that’s what they have done.”