He now felt that the captain was talking with him as man to man.

Helen had gone away and left him; well, he was learning to do without Helen.

And he had got away from the Grange, and Lucy, and that nurse.

He was a man among men.

And then, just as he was feeling most manly and important, and quite equal to facing any number of judges, there came a little tap at the door of the guard-room, and a very little voice said: 'Oh, do please let me come in.' Then the door opened slowly.
'Well, come in, whoever you are,' said the captain.