Battalion orders of some kind! Probably a full-dress parade, to trace
a missing bayonet!
Presently he rides away; and Captain Blaikie, instead of halting and
dismissing us in the street as usual, leads us down an alley into the
backyard which serves as our apology for a parade-ground. We form
close column of platoons, stand at ease, and wait resignedly.
Then Captain Blaikie's voice falls upon our ears.
"A Company, I have an announcement to make to you. His Majesty the
King--"
So that is it. Another Royal Review! Well, it will be a break in the
general monotony.
"--who has noted your hard work, good discipline, and steady progress
with the keenest satisfaction and pride--"
We are not utterly forgotten, then.
"--has commanded that every man in the battalion is to have seven
days' full leave of absence."
"A-a-ah!" We strain our tingling ears.
"We are to go by companies, a week at a time. 'C' will go first."
"C" indeed! Who are "C," to--?
"A Company's leave--_our_ leave--will begin on the twenty-eighth of
December, and extend to the third of January."
The staccato words sink slowly in, and then thoughts come tumbling.
"Free--free on New Year's Day! Almichty! Free to gang hame! Free
tae--"
Then comes an icy chill upon our hearts. How are we to get home?
Scotland is hundreds of miles away. The fare, even on a "soldier's"
ticket--
But the Captain has not quite finished.
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