“By Jove!” said Tom, “that’s just what I should like.”
“Easy, my boy—easy! Don’t run away with the squad like that all at once! I’m just coming to it, my boy.”
“Pray excuse me, sir,” said Tom, who was dying for the rather easy-going Colonel to proceed.
“All right, my boy—all right. You see, I met my friend Sir Charles, who goes out with the advanced corps, the other day in London, and he told me that if I knew any smart young officer who would like to go out, he would be happy to let him come with him as one of his aides-de-camp, to oblige me.”
“Oh, sir!” ejaculated Tom, in anxiety.
“The question is, my boy, are you a smart young officer, and can I recommend you?” the Colonel asked, being a bit of a wag, as he saw the sudden joy which irradiated the suppliant’s face.
“I would thank you so much, sir,” ejaculated Tom; “I am sure I could be useful to him if you would only recommend me.”
“Much use you would be, to be sure! I suppose you would teach him the last waltz step, and tell him how to flirt, you dog!”
“Oh, sir—you’ll oblige me, Colonel, won’t you? and do me this favour?”
“Well, I don’t mind if I do, Tom. You are a young scamp I know, but I’ve a sort of liking for you, and I’ll give you a letter of introduction to Sir Charles. But you must go up to London at once, for he’ll be off in a day or two. I daresay you can catch him at that den of thieves, the Horse Guards, or else at his club.”