‘Fall out, men,’ said the C.O. kindly.
We were marched out, Ginger and Tosher quite well pleased with the colonel’s verdict.
The C.O. knew his job.
V.
That night Colonel Eat-All went to his quarters weary and worn. The affair had made him most unhappy. He was just afraid of what the Canadian might do. However, on opening the door of his hut, he was surprised to see a beautiful bowl of red roses on the table. He called his servant and asked where they came from.
‘Don’t know, sir. When I came back after tea they were there.’
‘That’s all, thank you.’
The colonel went forward and picked up the bunch of flowers. There was a tiny label attached. On the label he read: ‘To our Dear Old Colonel—from two Defaulters.’
Something fell on the Old Man’s hand. It was a tear.
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