"All well here, sentry?" asked the General, towering over him in all his glory.
"Pup-pass, please," said Nijinsky, ever on the look-out for some cunning trick.
"Oh, that's all right; I'm General Blank."
The word "General" recalled Nijinsky to his senses. He unslung his rifle, brought it to the order, brought it to the slope and presented arms with great solemnity, and as only Nijinsky can.
"Oh—er—stand easy," said the General, when the meaning of these evolutions was made manifest to him. "Wonderful days for you fellows here—what? There have been times when the Rhine seemed a long way away, didn't it? And now here you are, a victorious army guarding that very river! It's a wonderful time for you, and no doubt you appreciate it?"
"Ger-grub's short," said Nijinsky.
"Rations?" said the D.A.Q.M.G. "I've had no complaints."
"Yiss. No spuds—taters, I mean."
"We must see to that," said the General. "Well, we'll go on, I think;" and they got into the car.
"Pup-pass, please," said Nijinsky, spotting the trick at once.