"Well—no; not unless he gets leave. I am only at Melbourne now because I have got leave; and I must go when my leave is up. A soldier does not belong to himself."
"To whom does he belong?'
"To his commander! He must go and come, do or not do things, just as his
General bids him; and ask no questions."
"Ask no questions?" said Daisy.
"No; only do what he is ordered."
"But why mayn't he ask questions?"
"That isn't his business. He has nothing to do with the reason of things; all he has got to do is his duty. The reason is his General's duty to look after."
"But suppose he had a very good General—then that wouldn't be much of a hardship," said Daisy.
"Well, that is a very material point," said the Captain. "Suppose he has a good General—as you say; that would make a great difference, certainly."
"Is that all, Capt. Drummond?"