"I am afraid, Mr. Ferrers, you do not realize the seriousness of failing to obey a military order punctually. More than that, I fear it would take more time than I have between now and luncheon to make it plain to you. But I a.s.sure you that you have a great deal, a very great deal, to learn about the strict requirements of Army life and conduct."
"And you"ll find me very keen to learn, sir, very keen, I a.s.sure you.
But, since you"re good enough to postpone telling me more about such little matters, may I ask you, Colonel, who will show me to my rooms? I shall need quite a few, for, outside of two chauffeurs--I have five auto cars you know--I have also four household servants and a valet."
"You have--what!" gasped Colonel North.
Mr. Ferrers patiently repeated the details concerning the number of his automobiles and servants.
"And where are they?" demanded the regimental commander.
"I left them over in Clowdry until I send for them, sir."
"Mr. Ferrers, have you any idea how many rooms an unmarried second lieutenant has?"
"A dozen or fifteen, I hope," suggested Mr. Ferrers hopefully. "A gentleman, of course, can"t live in fewer rooms."
"Mr. Ferrers, an unmarried second lieutenant lives in bachelor officers"
quarters. He has a parlor, bed-room and bath."
"Oh, I say now," protested poor Mr. Ferrers earnestly, "you can"t expect me to get along in any such dog-kennel of a place."
"You"ll have to, Mr. Ferrers."
"But my servants--my chauffeurs?"
"No room for them on this post."
"But I can"t keep five cars running without at least two chauffeurs. And by the way, Colonel, what kind of a garage do you have here?"
"None whatever, Mr. Ferrers. You can keep one small car down at the quartermaster"s stables, but that is the best you can do."
Lieutenant Algernon Ferrers, who instantly realized that this fine-looking old colonel was not making game of him, sat back staring, a picture of hopeless dejection.
"I had no idea the Army was anything like as beastly as this," he murmured disconsolately.
"If you"re going to remain in the service, Mr. Ferrers," returned the colonel, "I"m afraid you will have to recast many of your ideas. In the first place, you won"t need servants. You"ll get your meals at the officers" mess, and all the servants needed there are provided."
"But I must have some one to take care of even my two poor little rooms," fidgeted Mr. Ferrers. "I can"t undertake to do that myself.
Besides, Colonel, I don"t know how to do housework."
"Some of the work in your rooms you should and must do yourself,"
explained Colonel North. "Such, for example, as tidying up your quarters. The rougher work you can have done by a striker."
"Striker!" echoed Mr. Ferrers, a gleam of intelligence coming into his eyes. "No, thank you, Colonel. Strikers never work. I"ve heard my guv"nor talk about strikes in his business."
""Striker,"" explained Colonel North, "is Army slang. Your "striker" is a private soldier, whom you hire at so many a dollars a month to do the rougher work in your quarters. You make whatever bargain you choose with the soldier. At this post the bachelor officers usually pay a striker eight dollars a month."
"At that price I can afford a lot of "em," responded Mr. Ferrers, brightening considerably.
"An unmarried officer is not allowed to have more than one striker in this regiment," said the colonel, whereat Ferrer"s face showed his dismay. "Nor is any soldier obliged to become your striker. You cannot engage him unless the soldier is wholly willing. However, a good many men like the extra pay. You will be a.s.signed to A company. Direct the first sergeant of that company to send you a man who is willing to serve as a striker. And now, Mr. Ferrers, as you appear to be wholly ignorant of Army life I think I will give you a mentor."
Turning to the telephone Colonel North called:
"Connect me with Lieutenant Prescott. h.e.l.lo, is that you, Mr. Prescott?
The regimental commander is speaking. My compliments, Mr. Prescott, and can you come over to headquarters? Thank you."
Ringing off the colonel turned to his very new young lieutenant, saying:
"Mr. Prescott is a last year"s graduate of the Military Academy at West Point, and one of the most capable younger officers I have ever met. I can think of no man so well qualified to coach you in the start of your new life, Mr. Ferrers. You have some baggage with you?"
"Oh, yes, sir. Two trunks on the car."
"Then you have uniforms with you?"
"Yes."
"Say "sir" when answering a superior officer."
"Yes, sir."
"You have your two regulation swords?"
"Yes, sir. And say!" Ferrers beamed forth, with enthusiasm, while his eyes lit up. "The regulation swords are not such a much, so, while I got them, I also had four other swords made that are a whole lot handsomer.
Wait until you see me, sir, with the beauty that Tiffany made to my order--my own design, sir."
"Doubtless your extra swords will do very well as ornaments in your quarters, Mr. Ferrers," replied the colonel, trying very hard to keep a straight face. "But you will not appear with any other than the regulation swords."
"Oh, I say, now----" broke forth Ferrers anxiously, but the door opened, and Lieutenant d.i.c.k Prescott strode in, looking the perfection of handsome soldiery.
"You sent for me, sir?" Prescott asked, coming to a very formal salute.
"Yes, Mr. Prescott. This young gentleman is Lieutenant Algernon Ferrers, lately appointed from civil life. As Mr. Ferrers will presently be glad to admit that he knows less than nothing about Army life, I can think of no one better qualified than you, Mr. Prescott, to explain to him the nature of military life."
"Thank you, Colonel," replied Prescott gravely.
"Kindly take Mr. Ferrers over to the officers" mess and see that he is made to feel at home among you youngsters. And advise him, in all necessary respects, as to what is expected of him in this regiment."
"But my rooms, sir? My little dog-kennel?" urged Ferrers.
"Mr. Prescott will take you to Lieutenant Pope, the battalion quartermaster, who will a.s.sign you to quarters. And, Mr. Prescott, make it a point to introduce Mr. Ferrers to Major Silsbee and also Captain Ruggles of A company, for Mr. Ferrers is a.s.signed to that company."
Prescott saluted smartly in leaving his colonel. Ferrers also endeavored to salute, and imitated badly--with the wrong hand.
As soon as the door had closed Colonel North rose, sighed and muttered:
"With a seeming idiot like that on officers" row I can see our old and happy life here pa.s.sing."
Lieutenant Ferrers, after an infinite amount of coaching by Mr.