Sergeant? We lay with them once—at Umballa, I think it was.'
'I don't know whether this ham-and-tongue tin is eighteen pence or one an' four.'
'Say one an' fourpence. Muster Corkran. . . . Of course, Sergeant, if it was any use to give my time, I'd be pleased to do it, but I'm too old. I'd like to see a drill again.'
'Oh, come on, Stalky,' cried M'Turk. 'He isn't listenin' to you. Chuck over the money.'
'I want the quid changed, you ass. Keyte! Private Keyte! Corporal Keyte! Terroop-Sergeant-Major Keyte, will you give me change for a quid?'
'Yes—yes, of course. Seven an' six.' He stared abstractedly, pushed the silver over, and melted away into the darkness of the back room.
'Now those two 'll jaw about the Mutiny till tea-time,' said Beetle.
'Old Keyte was at Sobraon,' said Stalky. 'Hear him talk about that sometimes! Beats Foxy hollow.'
•••••
The Head's face, inscrutable as ever, was bent over a pile of letters.
'What do you think?' he said at last to the Reverend John Gillett.
'It's a good idea. There's no denying that—an estimable idea.'
'We concede that much. Well?'
'I have my doubts about it—that's all. The more I know of boys the less do I profess myself capable of following their moods; but I own I
