“I was thinking about soldiers,” Wilfred said. “You saw a lot of them here to-day—veterans. They have to mind exactly, don’t they? I mean when they were in service they did.”
“Exactly?”
“I mean do a thing just exactly like they were told to—they couldn’t get it changed—soldiers couldn’t.”
“Oh, you mean discipline?”
“I guess—yes, that’s what I mean kind of. If you start to do a thing you’re supposed to do it.” The doctor did not quite understand Wilfred’s drift; he thought him an odd boy, but rather likeable. He was good-naturedly puzzled at the odd and irrelevant thoughts that Wilfred had tried to express.
“Anyway, you say I’m all right, do you?”
“Surely; you might as well see the doctor up there like they told you to, though.”
“Do you think Mr. Winters will get his raise.”
“Shouldn’t wonder.”
“Well, anyway, I’ll say good-by,” said Wilfred.