“I see you’re an officer short, Captain Maxey,” the Colonel remarked at their conference.  “I think I’ve got a man here to take his place.  Lieutenant Gerhardt is a New York man, came over in the band and got transferred to infantry.  He has lately been given a commission for good service.  He’s had some experience and is a capable fellow.”  The Colonel sent his orderly out to bring in a young man whom he introduced to the officers as Lieutenant David Gerhardt.

Claude had been ashamed of Tod Fanning, who was always showing himself a sap-head, and who would never have got a commission if his uncle hadn’t been a Congressman.  But the moment he met Lieutenant Gerhardt’s eye, something like jealousy flamed up in him.  He felt in a flash that he suffered by comparison with the new officer; that he must be on his guard and must not let himself be patronized.

As they were leaving the Colonel’s office together, Gerhardt asked him whether he had got his billet.  Claude replied that after the men were in their quarters, he would look out for something for himself.

The young man smiled.  “I’m afraid you may have difficulty.  The people about here have been overworked, keeping soldiers, and they are not willing as they once were.  I’m with a nice old couple over in the village.  I’m almost sure I can get you in there.  If you’ll come along, we’ll speak to them, before some one else is put off on them.”

Claude didn’t want to go, didn’t want to accept favours,—­nevertheless he went.  They walked together along a dusty road that ran between half-ripe wheat fields, bordered with poplar trees.  The wild morning-glories and Queen Anne’s lace that grew by the road-side were still shining with dew.  A fresh breeze stirred the bearded grain, parting it in furrows and fanning out streaks of crimson poppies.  The new officer was not intrusive, certainly.  He walked along, whistling softly to himself, seeming quite lost in the freshness of the morning, or in his own thoughts.  There had been nothing patronizing in his manner so far, and Claude began to wonder why he felt ill at ease with him.  Perhaps it was because he did not look like the rest of them.  Though he was young, he did not look boyish.  He seemed experienced; a finished product, rather than something on the way.  He was handsome, and his face, like his manner and his walk, had something distinguished about it.  A broad white forehead under reddish brown hair, hazel eyes with no uncertainty in their look, an aquiline nose, finely cut,—­a sensitive, scornful mouth, which somehow did not detract from the kindly, though slightly reserved, expression of his face.

Lieutenant Gerhardt must have been in this neighbourhood for some time; he seemed to know the people.  On the road they passed several villagers; a rough looking girl taking a cow out to graze, an old man with a basket on his arm, the postman on his bicycle; they all spoke to Claude’s companion as if they knew him well.