“Then you’ll go up; and Barriscale will get shoulder straps?”
“That’s just the point. That’s a programme I don’t like.”
“Why not?”
“Oh, there are reasons. One is that I don’t want the place. I’m not fitted for it, and I know it. The boys like me too well and I’ve no more sense of discipline than a ground-hog. If I ever had to command the company I’d collapse. Another reason is that—well, there’s a pretty congenial crowd in officers’ quarters now; I’d like to keep it congenial.”
“You mean that Barriscale wouldn’t be quite acceptable there?”
“To be frank with you, that’s it exactly.”
“But how are you going to help it? If you keep the second lieutenancy, Barriscale will get the first.”
“Not if I can prevent it, he won’t.”
“How will you prevent it? He’ll be entitled to the promotion.”
“I propose to have you stand for election to the first lieutenancy.”