“Now, I suppose that we shall lose you?” said Corporal Sutherland.
“I think not,” I said, “I have had my leave and had a good time, and it is not likely that I will get another for a good while.”
“Haven’t you heard,” queried one of the sergeants, “that you have been promoted?”
“Promoted!” I replied in surprise; “I hope that they have not made me a top sergeant. I am not big enough for it; and it’s a hard job.”
Just then my captain came up with extended hand, saying, “I congratulate you, as well as myself and our company.”
“For what, Captain?” I replied, saluting; “I don’t understand.”
“On your promotion to be second lieutenant of this company,” he replied; “I thought you had received your commission.”
“Well,” I answered rather ungraciously, “I suppose that is promotion. But don’t a sergeant have a better chance at fighting?”
“The fighting will come along,” he laughed. “We are not likely to get a scrimp measure of it this summer, I assure you. There will be enough for everybody.”
When I called on my colonel, by his order, he in turn greeted me with congratulations.