"You are wanted back in the U. S. A., Hiram, for instructional purposes," said the colonel, looking over a mess of papers at his elbow. "You don't have to go if you don't want to. Here it is—and to be made out in triplicate, of course."
Hiram examined the papers.
"And here is something else that will interest you," continued the colonel. "News for you and Dick Starkley. You have your M. C."
Hiram's eyes shone.
"And Dick seems to have hooked the same for his work on the Somme—and I had given up all hope of that coming through. I recommended him for a D. S. O. last week. The way these recommendations for awards are handled beats me. They put them all into a hat and then chuck the hat out of the window, I guess, and whatever recommendations are picked up in the street and returned through the post are approved and acted upon. I know a chap—come back here!"
Hiram turned at the door of the hut.
"Do you intend to accept that job?"
"Yes, sir."
"You have a choice between going over to the American army with your rank or simply being seconded from the Canadians for that duty. What do you mean to do?"
"Seconded, sir. I am an American citizen clear through, colonel, but I have worn this cut of uniform too long to change it in this war."