This looked bad; two nays to three ayes.
"Better invalid him," said the second Captain.
"By all means," murmured the Major with his eyes shut.
I was no longer a trooper! I thought I was going to faint.
"Invalidation No. 1?" queried the doctor.
"Yes, yes," the Major cried, striking his chair with his fist; "but d—— it, let us go on. I want my lunch, and I am off if you don't hurry up."
A form was filled in by the dispensary Corporal acting as clerk: this was signed, and the doctor told me that my papers would be handed over to me in the evening.
When I came out there was no need to ask me what the result was: it was written on my face.
"Must I congratulate you?" asked the Sergeant.
"Yes," I said, shaking him by the hand; "but tell me," I added, "what does 'Invalidation No. 1' mean?"