It is you listening to the stories." And before Harry could reply, General Feversham's voice broke sharply in from the head of the table:-- "Harry, look at the clock!" At once all eyes were turned upon the lad.

The hands of the clock made the acutest of angles.

It was close upon midnight; and from eight, without so much as a word or a question, he had sat at the dinner-table listening.

Yet even now he rose with reluctance.
"Must I go, father ?" he asked, and the general's guests intervened in a chorus.

The conversation was clear gain to the lad, a first taste of powder which might stand him in good stead afterwards.
"Besides, it's the boy's birthday," added the major of artillery.