"She's a beauty, Sergeant," said the Captain.
"Yes, sir," I smilingly answered, "and she is just as good as she is beautiful,—never kicks or falters."
"By Jove!" laughed the Major, "that's a good one. How many messages did you send them last night, Sergeant?"
"None, sir."
"You don't say! Why I thought I heard you firing. Where is your battery operating?"
"Oh, we just sent off a few rounds at the crossroads."
"She seems to have been doing her bit today all right."
While conversing with the Major, I noticed the Captain talking with one of my men about the gun sight and, hastily excusing myself to the Major, I went over to him. "Pardon me for interrupting. Billy, you had better go over to the Major and tell him the gun is ready at once for inspection."
Billy excused himself to the Captain and started off. The officers then prepared to leave.
"Won't you wait a moment, sir, and see the Major? He will be right over."