face."

Richard did not come to time, and the sergeant repeated his
instructions, and gave the order again; but it was done no better than
the first time.

"Move quicker, Grant. How long will it take you to turn on your left
heel? Now, try again. Right--face!"

The young gentleman from Woodville did not like the style of the drill
master's remarks. Though he had been scrupulously polite in all he had
said, up to the point of Richard's failure to obey the order with
promptness, there was something in his tone and manner that was very
offensive to him. Nevers seemed to feel that he was armed with
authority, and he intended to make the new comer feel it; but Richard
took his own time, and after they had tried half a dozen times, he
could not "right face" till after the others had completed the
movement.

"How long will it take you to turn on your heel, Grant?" said Nevers,
sharply, when his patience had been sorely tried.

"Till you speak a little more civilly," replied Richard, quietly.
"Perhaps not till you have found out what I am made of."

Nevers bit his lip at this reply. Perhaps he was conscious that he
ought not to have used the remark, or he might have reported the
contumacy of the recruit to the assistant in charge of the room.

"We will try again," continued Nevers. "Right--face."

The result was no better than before; for Richard was so offended at
the manner of the instructor that he determined not to obey.

"Well, Grant, you won't get round till the first day of January. You
are a perfect dough-head," said Nevers, the last remark being in a low
tone, though it was distinctly heard by the subject of it.

"All right," muttered Richard. "If you have found out what my head is
made of, I will show you, by and by, what my fist is made of."

"Ready when you are," replied Nevers, dropping his voice so that the
assistant teacher could not hear him. "Now, about--face;" and he
explained the movement, and went through with it himself.

Richard, having made up his mind what to do when the occasion offered,
did not deem it necessary to carry his resistance any farther at
present. Besides, he was very desirous of learning the drill, that he
might join the company. His "about face," therefore, was
unexceptionable.

"Very well, Grant," said the drill master, in a satirical tone, and
with a patronizing air.

"Your praise and your censure are all the same to me. Spare me both, if
you please," replied Richard,