[CHAPTER XVIII]
Three days after Lieutenant McCormack’s interview with Captain Murray, First Sergeant Barriscale, in pursuance of notice duly received, presented himself before his commanding officer, in his room at the hospital, for admonition and punishment in accordance with the Army Regulations. There was no bravado in his bearing, no attempt at bluster or denial.
“I suppose I may as well plead guilty to the charges,” he said, “and take what’s coming to me.”
Captain Murray looked up at him in astonishment. What had become of the boastful, self-satisfied scion of a wealthy family as he had known him scarcely three weeks before? He had expected to deal with a stubborn, defiant, aggressive offender; but here came a modest, pliant, soldierly young fellow, freely acknowledging his offense, and willing to pay the penalty. It was a strange circumstance. It changed materially the aspect of affairs. It set the captain to thinking.
“But there are no charges,” he said at last. “McCormack refused to file any.”
“Refused—to file any?”
Barriscale looked up at him with incredulous eyes. He could not understand it. Why had not McCormack taken advantage of so rich an opportunity, so just an occasion, to even up a score that had been running lopsided for years?
“Yes. He doesn’t want you court-martialed. I’m not particularly eager for it myself. We’ve had enough of court-martialing in Company E for the present. So I decided to call you before me instead for admonition and punishment under the Army Regulations.”