[pg 131] "What?"
"Report it to the colonel!"
"Don't be an ass," said old Tartan, stumping out of the room. He had been a true subaltern in his day.
The colonel, however, ordered the adjutant to bring Mr Longlegs in.
"Well," commenced the old gentleman in his best official manner.
"I—I—I'm very sorry, sir."
"Should think you would be! Damned impertinence, sir. How dare you? How dare you? Never heard of such a thing in my life. Good mind to cashier you."
"Really, I'm very sorry——"
"Hold your tongue, sir."
Then he harangued him in the best style of Judge Hawkins for a quarter of an hour, after which the senior sub felt like a little grease spot instead of a man.