The Com. Then why should you not be credited with the rank to which you are entitled?
Off. Because, Sir, I am only a Captain of Volunteers.
The Com. But surely the British Army is composed entirely of Volunteers?
Off. That is the national boast, Sir. But then, you see, I receive no pay.
The Com. Which does not prevent you from working?
Off. On the contrary, Sir, nearly all my leisure is devoted to the study of what I may, perhaps, be permitted to call my supplementary profession.
The Com. What are your duties?
Off. Almost too numerous to enumerate. Before I received my Commission, I had to undertake to make myself proficient in everything appertaining to the rank to which I was appointed. This entailed a month's hard work (five or six hours a day in the barrack-square), at one of the Schools of Instruction.
The Com. Well, let us suppose that you have become duly qualified to command a company—what next?
Off. Having reached this point, I find myself called upon to work as hard as any Line officer on full pay. True, I have not (except when the battalion is camping out, or taking part in manoeuvres), to trouble myself with matters connected with the Commissariat, but in every other respect my position is exactly analogous to my brother officers in other branches of the QUEEN's Service. I have to attend numerous drills, and perform the duties, at stated intervals, of the Orderly Room. Besides this, I have to see that every parade is well attended by the men of my company. This entails, as you may imagine, time and trouble.