am neither shuffling nor prevaricating
when I tell you that I do not know why you have sent for me." Then to
himself,--

"He could not have known about the Sergeant, for that was after he had
sent his note."

He had time to say this to himself, for the Major was staring at him in
amazement.

"What! What! What!" he exclaimed. "How--how dah you, sir? I'd have
you to know that when I address my subordinates--ahem!--arrrum!--I--that
is--hum--dear me, how confoundedly you have grown like your father,
Archibald! Just his manner. I--that is--well, look here, sir; I have
been very much put out about you. I promised my old comrade that I
would do the best that I could in the way of helping you on and making
you a useful officer and a thorough gentleman, and you know, between
men, Archibald Maine, it has not been quite the thing. This is not the
first time I have had to speak to you and complain of your conduct."

"No, sir," said the lad in rather a sulky tone; "and when I was in fault
I never shuffled or prevaricated."

"Never, Archie, my lad," said the Major energetically. "It was bad form
of me, but I was angry with your father's son. My words were
ill-chosen, and there--there--I apologise."

"Oh no, sir!" cried the lad, warming up and speaking excitedly; "there
is no need for that. I suppose I have been in the wrong, but I did not
really know what I had been doing when you sent your letter."

"Of course you did not, my boy; but--er--I was not thinking of that. It
was about your conduct generally, and I had made up my mind to have you
here and give you what you would call a wigging, Archie--eh?--wigging,
sir! Dreadfully boyish expression!--and then, on second thoughts, I
said to myself, `Much better to have the lad in quietly, break the ice
and that sort of thing, tell him what I wanted to talk about, and then
make him sit by me at the mess, and put it to him quietly over a glass
of wine.' Understand, my lad?"

Archie's lips parted to speak, but the recollection of many old
kindnesses began to crowd up so that he could not trust his voice, and
he only nodded.

"That's right. You see, my lad, your father and I were boys together--
not perfect either. We used to quarrel frightfully. Well, sir,
something inside me began to remind me of old times, and make apologies
for you, and I was going to talk to you about being an officer and a
gentleman--and dignity of manner, and impressing yourself upon your