The astonished troopers looked at their astonished captain. There was a short silence.
Finally, the captain stooped and picked up the pistol. It was a heavy weapon of the army pattern. He ascertained that it was empty.
He leaned toward the shaking girl, and said gently: "Will you tell me what you were going to do with this pistol?"
He had to repeat the question a number of times, but at last a muffled voice said, "Nothing."
"Nothing!" He insisted quietly upon a further answer. At the tender tones of the captain's voice, the phlegmatic corporal turned and winked gravely at the man next to him.
"Won't you tell me?"
The girl shook her head.
"Please tell me!"
The silent privates were moving their feet uneasily and wondering how long they were to wait.
The captain said: "Please, won't you tell me?"