The Lieutenant cleared his throat, shut his eyes tight to assist his memory, and began his burial service:
“Almighty ’n’ everlastin’ God, who’s given unto us, Thy servants, grace by the c’nfession of a true faith t’ acknowledge th’ glory of th’ Eternal Trinity, and—and——”
“And in the power of the Divine Majesty——” prompted the Vicar ostentatiously.
“Will you keep still, Miss? Majesty to worship the Unity, we beseech Thee that Thou wouldst keep ’s—keep ’s steadfast, er, wouldst keep ’s steadfast——”
“’Almighty ’n everlastin’ God.’”
The Lieutenant paused helplessly.
“In this faith,” added the Vicar with triumph, dashing on with almost unintelligible rapidity, “and evermore defend ’s from all ’dversities, who livest ’n’ reignest one God, world ’thout end. Amen!”
She took a necessary breath, and pushed back her mask still further from her tumbled bang.
The Head Captain was visibly impressed. It had never occurred to him to say a collect. The Lieutenant was not such a poor stick, after all.