“Why do you have three swords?” she asked, taking the handsomest from its resting place.
“So that I can kill more people.”
“Why, Dot, you ought to know that an officer wants a service sword and a dress-sword.”
“But these are all dress-swords. I’m afraid you are very proud of your majorship.”
Peter only smiled a reply down at her.
“Yes,” said Leonore, “I have found out your weakness at last. You like gold lace and fixings.”
Still Peter only smiled.
“This sword is presented to Captain Peter Stirling in recognition of his gallant conduct at Hornellsville, July 25, 1877,” Leonore read on the scabbard. “What did you do at Hornellsville?”
“Various things.”
“But what did you do to get the sword?”