s hand upon Bracy's forehead; "the poor fellow is
as weak as a babe, and could no more have done what you say than flown
out of the window and across the valley. You are exaggerating, and--Oh,
my gracious!"

The Major had just time to hop aside and avoid the Doctor's head, for
all at once a tremendous kick was delivered from the bed, and the
receiver was propelled as if from a catapult across the room, to bring
himself up against the wall. Here he turned sharply, to see Bracy lying
perfectly still upon the bed, staring at him wildly, and the Major
holding his sides, his always prominent eyes threatening to start from
his head, while his cheeks became purple as he choked with laughter and
stamped about, trying hard to catch his breath.

"Ho, ho, ho! Ho, ho, ho!" he laughed hoarsely. "Oh Doctor! you'll be
the death of me. This is too rich--this is too rich--this is too rich!"

"Too rich? Be the death of you? I wish it would," panted the Doctor,
turning to the bed to shake his fist at Bracy, but keeping well out of
reach of his leg, "You treacherous young scoundrel! How dare you play
me such a trick as this?"

Bracy's lips moved, but no sound was heard, and his eyes looked wildly
pathetic in their expression.

"I didn't give you credit for such monkey-tricks; but I've done with you
now. You've been imposing upon me--you're shamming--malingering, so as
to keep out of going on duty again. You might have injured me for
life."

"Don't bully the poor fellow, Doctor," cried the Major, wiping his eyes,
and picking up one piece of his glass which he had dropped. "I don't
think he's shamming, he's off his head. Look how his eyes roll. Poor
lad! Give him a dose of something to quiet him, for he's as mad as a
March hare."

"Mad as a March hare!" snarled the Doctor, rubbing himself. "I told you
it's all a trick."

"I--I--I--d-d-don't care what it is," stammered the Major; "but I
wouldn't have missed it for a hundred eyeglasses. Ho, ho, ho! Ho, ho,
ho! I can't stop myself. I never laughed so much in my life.--Ha!" he
added as he sank into a chair and wiped his eyes; "I feel better now."

"Better!" cried the Doctor. "You may as well let me give you something,
or you'll be disgracing yourself before the men."

That was enough. The Major sprang to his feet, to look threateningly at
the Doctor.

"Disgrace myself, sir?" he cried furiously.

"Bah!" cried the Doctor, and he bounced out of the room, and, for