Presently he rides away; and Captain Blaikie, instead of halting and dismissing us in the street as usual, leads us down an alley into the backyard which serves as our apology for a parade-ground. We form close column of platoons, stand at ease, and wait resignedly.
Then Captain Blaikie's voice falls upon our ears.
"A Company, I have an announcement to make to you. His Majesty the
King—"
So that is it. Another Royal Review! Well, it will be a break in the general monotony.
"—who has noted your hard work, good discipline, and steady progress with the keenest satisfaction and pride—"
We are not utterly forgotten, then.
"—has commanded that every man in the battalion is to have seven days' full leave of absence."
"A-a-ah!" We strain our tingling ears.
"We are to go by companies, a week at a time. 'C' will go first."
"C" indeed! Who are "C," to—?