A little bravado is an excellent thing.

I laughed and held out my hand.
"I'm glad to meet you--although our meeting might have been contrived less precipitously.

This is Sergeant Marigold, late R.F.A., who does me the honour of looking after me.

And this is Major Boyce." Observe the little devil of malice that made me put Marigold first.
"Of the Rifles ?" A quick gleam of admiration showed in the boy's eyes as he saluted.

No soldier could be stationed at Wellingsford without hearing of the hero of the neighbourhood.