Raising his hand respectfully to his cap, which he wore poised jauntily over his right ear, and scarcely held on by the strap below his under lip, the corporal waited permission to speak.
After a lingering survey of the chess-board, the colonel slowly lifted his eyes, and said with official dignity, "Well, men, what is it ?" "First of all, sir," replied the corporal, "we want to speak to you about our pay, and then we wish to have a word with the major about our rations." "Say on, then," said Colonel Murphy.

"What is it about your pay ?" "Just this, sir; as the days are only half as long as they were, we should like to know whether our pay is to be diminished in proportion." The colonel was taken somewhat aback, and did not reply immediately, though by some significant nods towards the major, he indicated that he thought the question very reasonable.

After a few moments' reflection, he replied, "It must, I think, be allowed that your pay was calculated from sunrise to sunrise; there was no specification of what the interval should be.

Your pay will continue as before.

England can afford it." A buzz of approval burst involuntarily from all the men, but military discipline and the respect due to their officers kept them in check from any boisterous demonstration of their satisfaction.
"And now, corporal, what is your business with me ?" asked Major Oliphant.
"We want to know whether, as the days are only six hours long, we are to have but two meals instead of four ?" The officers looked at each other, and by their glances agreed that the corporal was a man of sound common sense.
"Eccentricities of nature," said the major, "cannot interfere with military regulations.