He at once followed the orderly to the tent.
"This is a nice trick you have played us, Lisle," the colonel said, as he entered.

"To think that while we all thought you on your way down to Calcutta, you were acting as a private in the regiment! It was very wrong of Gholam Singh to consent to your doing so; but I was so pleased to know that you were here that I could not bring it in my heart to blow him up as he deserved.

Unquestionably, he acted from the respect and affection that he felt for your father.
"What put the idea into your head ?" "I had quite made up my mind to go with the regiment, sir; and should have come as a mule driver or a coolie, if I had not got into the ranks." "Well, it is done and cannot be undone.

Lieutenant Moberley has reported most favourably of your conduct in the last fight, and Gholam Singh says that your conduct as a private has been excellent.

You have become a great favourite with the men, by the cheerfulness with which you bore the hardships of the march; and kept up the spirits of the men by your jokes and example.
"But of course, this cannot go on.