"I?" said the General, "What do you mean?"
"Well, sir, I wondered if by any chance it was you wot mixed the fireworks so as they all went off wrong."
The General laughed. Sallie said the General was at his best when a laugh caused his teeth to flash white against the surrounding tan.
"A shrewd guess, by jove," he exclaimed, "Yes, it was I who mixed the fireworks."
"And what would you do sir now if a sub., under your command, were to do the same," enquired the Boy languidly.
"Confound you sir, if it were you I'd have you shot," he shouted. Somehow the General seemed always to shout at the Boy.
"No, you wouldn't, General," said Sallie, giving the poor old boy a sidelong glance that temporarily threw him off his balance.
"And why, may I ask?"
"Because I should ask you to let him off."
"Then," said the General with decision, "I should deserve to be shot.