“They don’t put us there, sir!” exclaimed Dennis.
“Yes.”
“Are they mad?”
“They’ve given us the worst job, not merely as a job, but especially for the regiment. Perhaps they won’t mind if things do go wrong.”
“Yez mean?”
“What will people say of me on November fourth, if my regiment flunks on September thirtieth?”
“Arrah musha dillah!” cried Dennis. “An’ is that it?”
“I’m afraid so. Will the men stand by me?”
“Oi’ll make them. Yez see,” shouted Dennis, “Oi’ll tell the b’ys they are tryin’ to put yez in a hole, an’ they’ll stan’ by yez, no matter what yez are told to do.”
As quickly as possible Peter put on his fatigue uniform. When he came out, it was to find that the rank and file had done the same, and were now standing in groups about the floor. A moment later they were lined up.