‘Shall we go on to where my mother is?’ said Anne, less impressed by the beauty of the note than the trumpet-major himself was.
‘In one minute,’ he said tremulously. ‘Talking of music—I fear you don’t think the rank of a trumpet-major much to compare with your own?’
‘I do. I think a trumpet-major a very respectable man.’
‘I am glad to hear you say that. It is given out by the King’s command that trumpet-majors are to be considered respectable.’
‘Indeed! Then I am, by chance, more loyal than I thought for.’
‘I get a good deal a year extra to the trumpeters, because of my position.’
‘That’s very nice.’
‘And I am not supposed ever to drink with the trumpeters who serve beneath me.’
‘Naturally.’
‘And, by the orders of the War Office, I am to exert over them (that’s the government word) exert over them full authority; and if any one behaves towards me with the least impropriety, or neglects my orders, he is to be confined and reported.’