"Ne'er in battle-field beats heart more brave,
Than that which beats beneath the Scottish kilt."
McTavish laughed. But Sneyd sneered. His shot hadn't hit the bull's eye.
"I suppose," he said, "like most Scots that join our Service, you're the only gentleman in your family, Mr. McTavish." This was mean, for the doctor's family were really only honest crofter folk.
"That's hitting beneath the belt," cried the engineer.
"Apologise, Sneyd."
And the others shouted for an apology.
"I refuse," said Sneyd.
"The reason being," said McTavish quietly, "that there wasn't even one gentleman in Sneyd's family."
"Bravo, McTavish. Bravo!"
But McTavish wasn't quite done with little Sneyd.