"That's bad. The militia won't have time to get here."
The Major went above, where he found Gid's men posted at the windows and the loop-holes. "How is everything?" he asked.
"Lovely, John."
"Don't call me John."
"All is well, Major."
"Good." And after a time he added: "The south road is so crooked that we don't command it very far, therefore look sharp. Back to your post!" he stormed as Perdue looked up from his loop-hole. "This is no time for idleness."
"I wonder what time we eat," said Gid.
"You may never eat another bite," the Major answered.
"Then I don't reckon there's any use to worry about it, John, or Major, I mean."
The Major returned to the floor below. "This is getting to be quite a lark," said the Englishman. "It's beastly cruel to fight, but after all it is rather jolly, you know."