Gideon was amused. “Famous! Now, had I known you had such a stout bodyguard, Adolphus, I need not have worried about you!”
“Well, you let him alone, for I mean it!” said Tom.
The Duke laughed. “No, no, Tom, you must not pick a quarrel with my big cousin, for he takes very good care of me, I promise you! Gideon, I must make you known to Mr. Mamble, who is Tom’s father. Mr. Mamble, Captain Ware!”
Mr. Mamble got up ponderously from his chair, and executed a bow. Tom, a fanatical light in his eye, demanded: “Is he a soldier?”
“Yes, he is,” said the Duke.
“Cavalry?” said Tom anxiously.
“Lifeguards!” said the Duke, in thrilling accents.
Tom drew a deep, worshipful breath, and uttered: “And you never told me! Sir, were you ever in a battle?”
“I was in a skirmish at Genappe, and in a battle at Waterloo,” replied Gideon.
“Wounded?” Tom asked hopefully.