“If Tom Kidd goes 'e'll shut up like a clasp-knife,” said Lew. “Tom 'as very-close veins in both 'is legs, Sir.”
“Very how much?”
“Very-close veins, Sir. That's why they swells after long p'rade, Sir. If 'e can go, we can go, Sir.”
Again the Colonel looked at them long and intently.
“Yes, the Band is going,” he said as gravely as though he had been addressing a brother officer. “Have you any parents, either of you two?”
“No, Sir,” rejoicingly from Lew and Jakin. “We're both orphans, Sir. There's no one to be considered of on our account, Sir.”
“You poor little sprats, and you want to go up to the Front with the Regiment, do you? Why?”
“I've wore the Queen's Uniform for two years,” said Jakin. “It's very 'ard, Sir, that a man don't get no recompense for doin' of 'is dooty, Sir.”
“An'—an' if I don't go, Sir,” interrupted Lew, “the Bandmaster 'e says 'e'll catch an' make a bloo—a blessed musician o' me, Sir. Before I've seen any service, Sir.”
The Colonel made no answer for a long time. Then he said quietly: “If you're passed by the Doctor I dare say you can go. I shouldn't smoke if I were you.”