‘“Ay, ay, sir,” responded his glorious men.
‘Just as the mad finale was reached, when the fate of the New Man and his heroic battalion seemed sealed, a cheer burst on the air, and the Guards broke through. The Old and the New joined hands, then fought the Hun with cold steel till he squealed like a pig and—RAN.
‘Four Guardsmen carried the New Man down the line.
‘And then the world—and the Old Army—woke up. The chivalry of ages was in the New Cavalier. His battered and bleeding form was carried through a guard of honour to the place where the sick are healed. Women sent him flowers; old generals paid him homage; and, like a true Britisher, he inquired, “What’s all the fuss about? It wasn’t I—it was the MEN.”
‘But the King gave him the Victoria Cross.
‘The Guards presented arms.
‘The Old Army cheered.
‘And the world said, “Well done!”
‘I salute the New Army Officer,’ concluded Captain Cheerall.
The school jumped to its feet and almost went mad with cheering.