But, as an ignorant, simple, and silly civilian, he must be excused. . . .
Dessert followed, in the shape of unripe bananas, and Bertram left the table with a cupful of thin soup, a small piece of cheese, and half a crisp, but pithy and acidulous banana beneath his belt. As the Colonel left the hut he hurried after him.
“If you please, sir,” said he, “may I go out with the force that is to attack the German post to-morrow?”
Having acted on impulse and uttered the fatal words, he regretted the fact. Why should he be such a silly fool as to seek sorrow like this? Wasn’t there danger and risk and hardship enough—without going out to look for it?
“In what capacity?” asked Colonel Rock, and added: “Hall is in command, and Stanner is his subaltern.”
“As a spectator, sir,” said Bertram, “and I might—er—be useful perhaps—er—if—”
“Spectator!” mused the Colonel. “Bright idea! We might all go, of course. . . . Two hundred men go out on the job, and a couple of thousand go with ’em to whoop ’em on and clap, what? Excellent notion. . . . Wonder if we could arrange a ‘gate,’ and give the gate-money to the Red Cross, or start a Goose Club or something. . .” and he turned to go into his tent.
Bertram was not certain as to whether this reply was in the nature of a refusal of his request. He hoped it was.
“May I go, sir?” he said.
“You may not,” replied the Colonel, and Bertram felt very disappointed.