You haven't had the education in philosophy and literature, Major, that you ought to have had; but the years that you spent in the army ought to have taught you that no amount of unpleasantness should prevent a man doing his duty.

I thought that was one of the things which military life impressed on me.

Suppose now that it was your duty to stand in a pool of water on a wintry night looking out for the approaching army of a powerful enemy.

You wouldn't like doing it because you'd know that you'd have a cold in your head next day which would probably last you for the rest of that particular campaign.

But would you allow that fact to interfere with your duty?
I'll give you credit, Major, for not even considering your own comfort in the matter.