Tosher’s hands quivered; then he stood still, his face pale with suppressed anger.
I went through that morning’s drill sick as a dog. And the only solution I could discover was that Blase-Bones was either ignorant or mad. But that didn’t alter the plight of Ginger or Tosher. I trembled to think what might happen. As they were cadets, a high code of discipline was expected of them, and this had been observed under our former platoon commander. Indeed, our platoon had the highest marks in sports and examinations. Yet this awful prig had smashed it all up. If I was sorry for Ginger and Tosher, I was more sorry for the commandant. This affair would break the Old Man’s heart. However, I did not know that the colonel had already weighed Blase-Bones up. He was a shrewd judge of character, a man of stern moods, but a just C.O. and a gentleman.
Finally, he understood Canadians.
IV.
Ginger and Tosher, with an escort, of which I formed part, were before the colonel. The Old Man, I could see, was pained and sad. This was the first real ‘dust-up’ in the school. Blase-Bones gave his evidence. Then the colonel sorrowfully raised his head, and quietly asked, ‘Well, men, what have you got to say?’
‘I regret, sir, committing a breach of discipline,’ said Ginger, ‘but my old officers in my own regiment never addressed me in such a manner. Lieutenant Blase-Bones apparently has a contempt for the New Army. I belong to the First Hundred Thousand, and I decline to be treated in this way. The commission is nothing to me, sir, and I desire to be returned to my battalion. This officer has not heard a shot fired in the war.’
Blase-Bones turned ghastly white.
‘Is that all you have to say?’ inquired the ‘com.’
‘Yes, sir.’