"I stopped," explained the older man, "to apologise for the scandalous way that fellow drove over you. It was perfectly damnable; but you know what these converted taxi-drivers are! This swine forgot for the moment that he had an officer on board, and hogged it as usual. He goes under arrest as soon as we get back to billets."
"Thank you very much, sir," said Master Cockerell, entirely thawed. "I'm afraid my chaps were lying all over the road; but they are pretty well down and out at present."
"Where have you come from?" inquired the Major, turning a curious eye upon Cockerell's prostrate followers.
Cockerell explained When he had finished, he added wistfully—
"I suppose you have not got an odd tin or two of bully to give away, sir? My fellows are about—"
For answer, the Major took the Lieutenant by the arm and led him towards the lorry.
"You have come," he announced, "to the very man you want. I am practically Mr. Harrod. In fact, I am a Corps Supply Officer. How would a Maconochie apiece suit your boys?"
Cockerell, repressing the ecstatic phrases which crowded to his tongue, replied that that was just what the doctor had ordered.
"Where are you bound for?" continued the Major.
"St. Grégoire."