But they never seem to learn the lesson.

I am somewhat astonished that you have seemed to learn it, and lay it practically to heart." He smiled, drummed on the table with a Faber pencil, then, knitting his brows, drew to him a sheet of paper and wrote on it slowly, pausing from time to time in troubled reflection.
Once he glanced up at me coldly, and: "Who is to lead this expedition ?" he asked bluntly.
"Why, Lieutenant Boyd, sir," said I, wondering.
"Oh! You have no ambitions then ?" "Mr.Boyd ranks me," I said, smiling.

"Who else should lead ?" "I see.

Well, sir, you understand that a new commission lies all neatly folded for you in Catharines-town.

Even such a modest man as you, Mr.
Loskiel, could scarce doubt that," he added laughingly.
"No, sir, I do not doubt it." "That is well, then.