Is it or is it not your duty, your simple duty, to do what you can, even at the cost of some little temporary inconvenience to yourself ?" "If I thought all that--" said the Major.

"But I'm much too sleepy to think." "You're not asked to think," said Meldon.

"Whatever thinking has to be done I'll do myself.

You have to act, or rather in this case to permit me to act." "I expect you'll act, as you call it, whether I permit you or not." "Of course I will," said Meldon.

"But I'd rather have your permission.
I'd rather you didn't shatter the ideal I've always had of you as a duty-loving Englishman." "All right," said the Major wearily.