Except in years he was not young; he could not manage to be "clubable"; he was serious and awkward at a supper party; he was altogether without the effervescence which is necessary in order to avoid flatness.

He did his work also in the same conscientious but leaden way; officers and men alike felt it.

All this Francis knew perfectly well; but instead of acknowledging it, he tried quite fruitlessly to smooth it over.
"Aren't you exaggerating ?" he asked.
Michael shook his head.
"Oh, don't tone it down, Francis!" he said.

"Even if I was exaggerating--which I don't for a moment admit--the effect on my general efficiency would be the same.

I think what I say is true." Francis became more practical.
"But you've only been in the regiment three years," he said.