“I went in as a private,” said Easton.
“But you didn’t come out a private?”
“Our regiment suffered a great deal, and the promotions were pretty rapid.”
“And so you came out a captain?”
“Not exactly.”
“A major—a colonel?”
“I couldn’t very well help it.”
“Oh, I dare say you’re not to blame!” cried Mrs. Farrell. “You and Mr.—Major Gilbert, were you in the same regiment?”
“Yes. I owed my first commission to his interest. He was my captain before I got my company.”
“Well, how was it, then, that you came out a colonel and he only came out a major?” asked Mrs. Farrell, innocently.