At any other time one would not think so much of this, but at present for a man to lack courage is for him to lack everything.

I hope he will come better out of it than it looks at present.

He will have plenty of chances here, and no one will be more glad than I shall to see him pull himself together." The Doctor, however, would have quarreled with everyone all round when he heard what had been decided upon, had not Major Hannay taken him aside and talked to him strongly.
"It will never do, Doctor, to have quarrels here, and as commandant I must beg of you not to make this a personal matter.

I am very sorry for this poor fellow; I accept entirely your view of the matter; but at the same time I really can't blame the others for looking at it from a matter of fact point of view.

Want of courage is at all times regarded by men as the most unpardonable of failings, and at a time like the present this feeling is naturally far stronger even than usual.