His face was unusually
animated, that day, and his trim new uniform and his carefully-wound
putties added inches to his height and showed his lithe, lean figure
at its very best.
"I considered it," he answered then. "It is a trick of mine, as soon
as I decide I want a thing, to be in living terror of losing it.
However, the ordeal was short and not too severe. Captain Frazer
introduced me to a little lieutenant who looked me over, asked me if
I could ride, if I could shoot a rifle and if I had had any
experience. I fancy the matter was settled beforehand. Then I went
out and treated The Nig and Piggie to some new shoes, and myself to
a new uniform, and the deed was done."
"Are you glad, or sorry?" she asked slowly.
"That there was no more red tape?"
"That you decided as you did?"
He stared at her thoughtfully for a minute. Then he answered,--
"But I imagine it rather decided itself. I spoke of it to you once
before, I remember, when we were up in hospital, how there never
seemed to be much choice open to me. I fancy I am deciding things; I
mull over them till I am disgusted with the whole matter. Then,
after I have made up my mind what I am going to do, I suddenly
realize that there was never any question about it from the start.
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