Captain Mack by James Roy Page A

you’re not one of them. Would you like to explain?”
    Danny attempted to speak, but no voice came out. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I … I didn’t mean to salute, sir. It was an accident.”
    â€œIt’s a peculiar kind of accident though, isn’t it — saluting someone by mistake?”
    â€œNot really, sir.”
    Dr Partridge raised just one eyebrow. “I’m listening.”
    â€œUm … It’s going to sound stupid, sir.”
    Dr Partridge said nothing, waiting for Danny to continue what was sounding more and more like a very elaborate lie. A very elaborate and clearly ridiculous lie.
    Danny took a deep breath and plunged in. “You see, sir, I have this friend who makes me salute whenever I see him. I guess … I guess it’s just become a habit.”
    Dr Partridge smiled with his mouth but his eyes remained deadly serious. “You’ll need to do a bit better than that, Daniel.”
    â€œIt’s true though, sir. He used to be in the army, and he’s a bit —”
    â€œSlow down, son.”
    Danny took another deep breath “He’s a bit old, sir, and he likes me to salute. And I guess I just got mixed up. That’s all.”
    â€œThat’s all?”
    â€œYou see, I’d stopped at the supermarket on the way to school to buy him razors and … and some stuff for his hair, and that’s why I was late. I didn’t mean to be late, but I guess I was thinking about him when Mr Whaley …” He hesitated.
    â€œMr Whaley what?” Dr Partridge prompted.
    â€œWell, the way he spoke reminded me of the way Captain Mack talks — you know, kind of cranky, I guess — and I automatically saluted him. You know, without thinking.”
    Dr Partridge pushed his chair back and stood up. “Captain who, did you say?”
    â€œCaptain Mack. That’s what they call him. I’ve forgotten his real name. McSomething. He was in Burma during the war. It’s true, sir — ask Mr Cullen if you don’t believe me.”
    Dr Partridge put up his hand. “No, I believe you, Daniel. I expect Mr Whaley will understand when I talk to him about this. What he does about the lateness to class is up to him, but I think we can probably overlook this saluting business.”
    â€œOh, thanks,” Danny said, feeling his shoulders relax a little.
    Dr Partridge smiled, using his eyes as well this time. “But I think that maybe you should be a little more careful about who you salute in the future, hmm?”
    â€œYes, sir,” Danny answered. He didn’t even come close to saluting Dr Partridge.
    â€œThat was close.” It was obvious that Caleb was trying hard not to laugh.
    â€œIt’s not funny,” Danny said, biting into his apple.
    â€œWell, I think it’s hilarious. You should have seen the Fat Controller’s face.”
    â€œI did,” Danny replied. “I thought he was going to pop. Anyway, I still got a detention for being late.”
    â€œWhen is it?”
    â€œIn about five minutes.”
    â€œI bet Whaley’s poopy that you didn’t get at least a couple of weeks for saluting him.”
    Danny rolled his eyes. “I can’t wait to hear what Dad’s going to say.”
    â€œAnother detention?” Dad asked as Danny handed him the envelope. He tore it open and unfolded the letter. It didn’t take him long to read it.
    â€œIt was an accident,” Danny explained. “I thought he was Captain Mack.”
    Dad laid the letter in his lap and looked at Danny. “I’m not so concerned with the disrespect to Mr Whaley. I can see that it was a genuine if slightly clumsy mistake. I just wonder whether saluting an old man who thinks he’s still at war is really the right thing to do. Don’t you think it’s making light of something rather more serious than a game of pretend?”
    â€œHe doesn’t