Then we hear the cry: “That’s found a billet!” “Did you see how he leapt in the air?” Sergeant Oellrich turns round proudly and scores his point. He heads the shooting list for today with three unquestionable hits.

“What do you say to that?” asks Kat.

I nod.

“If he keeps that up he will get a little coloured bird for his buttonhole by this evening,” says Albert.

“Or rather he will soon be made acting sergeant-major,” says Kat.

We look at one another. “I would not do it,” I say.

“All the same,” says Kat, “it’s very good for you to see it just now.”

Sergeant Oellrich returns to the fire-step. The muzzle of his rifle searches to and fro.