And as we went along we agreed that we would salute him on the word three.

So when we got near, Dick said, 'One, two, three', and we all saluted very well--except H.O., who chose that minute to trip over a rifle a soldier had left lying about, and was only saved from falling by a man in a cocked hat who caught him deftly by the back of his jacket and stood him on his legs.
'Let go, can't you,' said H.O.

'Are you the General ?' Before the Cocked Hat had time to frame a reply, Alice spoke to the Colonel.

I knew what she meant to say, because she had told me as we threaded our way among the resting soldiery.

What she really said was-- 'Oh, how CAN you!' 'How can I WHAT ?' said the Colonel, rather crossly.
'Why, SMOKE ?' said Alice.
'My good children, if you're an infant Band of Hope, let me recommend you to play in some other backyard,' said the Cock-Hatted Man.
H.O.said, 'Band of Hope yourself'-- but no one noticed it.
'We're NOT a Band of Hope,' said Noel.