like it, and I take the liberty
to tell you so. It's an infernally disagreeable life--it's a beast of a
life for a gentleman to live. It's all very well, of course, if you're
amongst your own set; but a gentleman ranker is certain to have a hell
of a time. He has all the non-coms on to him out of jealousy; and he's
bullied and browbeaten beyond endurance. As for the mere rough side of
the living, nobody minds that. But if you do what you intend, you'll
find before the week's over that you've stepped into a whole tubful of
scalding hot water, and you'll wish yourself well out of it again.'

'That's all right, old chap,' said Polson. 'I shan't be the first to try
it, and I dare say I shall pull through as well as another.'

'Now, here's a sample,' said Volnay with a laugh to take the edge from
his words. 'Here's a sample of the sort of thing you're walking into.
It'll be a piece of rank impertinence on your part to call me "old chap"
in half an hour's time, and you mustn't do it. When you catch sight of
me, it'll be your business to stand up as stiff as a ramrod and salute
me; and you'll have to say "sir" when you talk to me. And you won't like
that. And I shan't like it. And look here, old chap, you think twice
about it.'

'I've told you already,' Polson answered, 'I've done all my thinking.'

'Well,' said Volnay, 'wilful must if wilful will. You haven't been
getting into any sort of mischief, have you?'

'No,' said Polson. 'I've done nothing that I have a right to be ashamed
of.'

'Had a row with the old man?'

'Yes.'

'Go home and make it up again, Jervase. A private soldier's life is a
dog's life for a man of your breeding, and you'll find it so.'

'That's as may be,' Polson answered. 'But I've quite made up my mind,
and all the talking in the world will make no difference.'

Within reach of his hand there lay upon the table a loose bunch of
ribbons, red, white, and blue, such as recruiting sergeants were wont to
pin in the hats of their recruits. And Polson, toying with this, found
that the bunch was held together at one end by a pin. He affixed it to
his own cap.

'Now,' he said, putting on the cap and rising to his feet, 'the trick's
done.'

'Oh, dear no!' said Volnay. 'The trick isn't done yet, old fellow.
You've got to be formally enlisted, and to answer a rigmarole of
questions, and be examined by the regimental doctor, and to take the
oath. The trick isn't done yet, by a long chalk.'

'Well,'