“Hurrah! Bully for Lieutenant Glen! Of couse we'll give you another show. Come right along in your old place, and welcome.”
There was but one dissenting voice. It was that of Jake Alspaugh:
“No, I'll be durned if we want ye along any more. We've no place for sich fellers with us. We only want them as has sand in their craws.”
But the protest was overslaughed by the multitude of assents. At the first interval of silence Harry said:
“No, comrades, I'll not accept a commission again until I'm sure I can do it credit. I'll enlist in the company on the same footing as the rest of the boys, and share everything with you. Give the lieutenancy to our gallant comrade Alspaugh, who has richly earned it.”
The suggestion was accepted with more enthusiastic cheering, and Harry, going up to the desk, filled out an enlistment blank, signed it and the company roll, and retired with the surgeon for the physical examination. This finished, he slipped out unnoticed and went to his home. On his way thither he saw Rachel as she passed a brilliantly lighted show-window. She was in traveling costume, and seemed to be going to the depot. She turned her head slightly and bowed a formal recognition.
As their eyes met he saw enough to make him believe that what he had done met her approval.
Chapter VII. Pomp and Circumstances of Glorious War.
But man, proud man,
Dressed in a little brief authority,
Most ignorant of what he's most assured,