I can never bear your bucks and dandies,
even when they are decent-looking and well dressed; and the Major--
for that was his rank--was the image of a flunkey in good luck.
Even to be in agreement with him, or to seem to be so, was more
than I could make out to endure.
'You could scarce be expected to stomach them,' said I civilly,
'after having just digested your parole.'
He whipped round on his heel and turned on me a countenance which I
dare say he imagined to be awful; but another fit of sneezing cut
him off ere he could come the length of speech.
'I have not tried the dish myself,' I took the opportunity to add.
'It is said to be unpalatable. Did monsieur find it so?'
With surprising vivacity the Colonel woke from his lethargy. He
was between us ere another word could pass.
'Shame, gentlemen!' he said. 'Is this a time for Frenchmen and
fellow-soldiers to fall out? We are in the midst of our enemies; a
quarrel, a loud word, may suffice to plunge us back into
irretrievable distress. Monsieur le Commandant, you have been
gravely offended. I make it my request, I make it my prayer--if
need be, I give you my orders--that the matter shall stand by until
we come safe to France. Then, if you please, I will serve you in
any capacity. And for you, young man, you have shown all the
cruelty and carelessness of youth.
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