"Yes," returned the corporal. "Better for sleeping than for military duty, eh, major?"
Here the major grew pale, but had the presence of mind to remark that he thought it might rain in time for tea.
"There's something behind all this," thought Jimmieboy; "and I'm going to know what it all means."
Then he said aloud, "You have had a very speedy recovery, corporal."
Here the major cleared his throat more loudly than usual, blushed rosy red, and winked twice as violently at the corporal as before.
"Did you ever hear my poem on the 'Cold Tea River in China'?" he asked.
"No," said the corporal, "I never did, and I never want to."
"Then I will recite it for you," said the major.
"After the corporal has made his report, major," said Jimmieboy.
"It goes this way," continued the major, pretending not to hear.