“Of course,” said Barry. “If I went as chaplain, it would be in your unit, dad, and that would be altogether glorious.”
“I do hope so. But we must not allow that, however, to influence our decision,” replied his father.
“I know, I know!” hurriedly agreed Barry. “I trust I would not be unduly influenced by personal considerations.”
This hope, however, was rudely dashed by an unexpected call for a draft of recruits from Captain Neil's company that came through from Colonel Kavanagh to replace a draft suddenly dispatched to make up to strength another western regiment. Attached to the call there was a specific request, which amounted to a demand for the sergeant major, for whose special qualifications as physical and military instructor there was apparently serious need in Colonel Kavanagh's regiment.
With great reluctance, and with the expenditure of considerable profanity, Captain Neil Fraser dispatched his draft and agreed to the surrender of his sergeant major.
The change came as a shock to both Barry and his father. For some days they had indulged the hope that they would both be attached to the same military unit, and unconsciously this had been weighing with Barry in his consideration of his probable appointment as chaplain.
The disappointment of their hope was the more bitter when it was announced that Colonel Kavanagh's battalion was warned for immediate service overseas, and the further announcement that in all probability the new battalion, to which the Wapiti company would be attached, might not be dispatched until some time in the spring.
“But you may catch us up in England, Barry,” said his father, when Barry was deploring their ill luck. “No one knows what our movements will be. I do wish, however, that your position were definitely settled.”
The decision in this matter came quickly, and was, without his will or desire, materially hastened by Barry himself.
Colonel Kavanagh's battalion being under orders to depart within ten days, a final Church Parade was ordered, at which only soldiers and their kin were permitted to be present. The preacher for the day falling ill from an overweight of war work, and Barry being in the city with nothing to do, the duty of preaching at this Parade Service was suddenly thrust upon him.