‘Battalion—eyes right!’ roared the colonel. The heads came round with a click, and the general saw one thousand cheery, sun-tanned faces.
‘Splendid, men! Splendid! You can beat the Guards any day.’
They stalked past as proud as dukes.
Next the C.O. formed them into line; and one thousand well-scrubbed Tommies, with buttons and bayonets glistening, advanced in review order.
‘Battalion—halt! General salute—present arms!’
‘Ta—tum—tum—talee, Tiddle—um—tum—talee,’ went the bugles.
‘Battalion—slope arms! Order—arms!’
‘Magnificent!’ roared Pom-Pom. This shout of praise could be heard miles away. Then he toddled round the billets. His eye caught the whitewash, saw the neat kits, and the cooks’ dixies—all in line.
‘That’s all! That’s all, colonel! I’m very pleased! I congratulate you on your excellent unit. Morning! Morning!’ And off he galloped on his bus-horse.
The colonel smiled and faded away.