“Yourself; you are interesting, entertaining, and instructive,” the Colonel answered, laughing. “I never ran across an American who wasn't, and I have met a number. What have you done to Beauvais?”
“It is not exactly what I've done; it is what I know.”
“What do you know?”
Maurice repeated the story.
“And you bested him at the rapiers?” in astonishment.
“Is there anything startling about it?” asked Maurice.
“He has no match hereabout.” The Colonel looked across the table at the smooth-faced boy—he was scarcely else—and reflected. “Why did you give up the army?”
“The army in America doesn't run to good clothes; the officers have to work harder than the privates, and, save in Washington, their social status is nil. Besides, there is too much fighting going on all the time. Here, an officer is always on dress parade.”
“Still, we are always ready. In the past we show up pretty well in history. But to return to Beauvais, it is very embarrassing, very.”
“It will be for him, if I live long enough.”