Words of Command (Hervey 12) (Matthew Hervey) by Allan Mallinson

contentment? How could it be that with this new half-colonel of cavalry sat not his wife but a man born the wrong side of a plantation blanket?
    But how
well
did his friend conceal his disappointment: his composure did him the greatest credit. It was not for him, Fairbrother, to dampen now the spirits of this man apart, on this of all evenings. On the contrary …
    The parlour-maid was gone; he could at last engage his friend in careless banter. ‘So, you are a man now set in authority, having under you soldiers, and you say unto one, “Go”, and he goeth; and to another, “Come”, and he cometh; and to your servant, “Do this”, and he doeth it.’
    Hervey frowned good-humouredly. ‘You are determined to quote Scripture at me, even if you quote it ill. I am a man set
under
authority.’
    ‘I do not quote it
so
ill. What I would know is to whom you have said “Come” and to whom “Go”.’
    Hervey smiled. ‘I had perfectly intended telling you, though in truth I’ve made no decisions – or rather, I’ve not made them known. The most pressing will be the new sar’nt-major. Rennie’s to have a commission elsewhere, by Hol’ness’s arranging.’
    Fairbrother looked at him almost askant. ‘Armstrong – surely?’
    ‘Armstrong – of course. But I must tell you frankly that having supposed – hoped – for so many years that Armstrong would one day be my sar’nt-major, I am now of a mind to test that supposition.’
    ‘
Test?
’ Fairbrother was frowning as if in pain, but suddenly seemed to recollect himself. ‘You don’t mind my speaking in this way, do you? It really is not my business.’
    ‘On the contrary. I value your opinion greatly, as well you should know. It’s not given to every man in command to have one with whom he might speak indifferently …
Respica te, hominem te memento
.’ fn1
    Fairbrother inclined his head. ‘I knew you not to be a sentimental man, as the saying goes – not decidedly, at least – but I’m surprised by your having doubts in Armstrong. What more might you wish of a man than he has proved these past two years alone? How do you intend testing your supposition?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ said Hervey confidently. ‘A little more time, perhaps.’
    ‘That is reasonable, except that once Mr Rennie’s commission becomes known, will not any delay in appointing Armstrong be an affront?’
    ‘Armstrong will perfectly understand: the exigencies of the service … But your point is well made. Indeed I should not wish to delay for one moment more than I thought entirely necessary the just deserts of such a man. We have served together since my earliest days in Spain.’
    ‘I know it, of course. I’ll not press you on who might have the better claim.’
    ‘I’m perfectly happy to tell you. Indeed you might tell me.’
    ‘Collins?’
    ‘Naturally. And there’s a fine man with C Troop, with whom I never served – Robertson.’
    ‘You told me once that the custom of promotion in the Sixth is seniority tempered by rejection.’
    ‘And so it is. But the policy merely defines the practice hitherto.’
    Fairbrother sighed. ‘That is a little obtuse, if I may be so bold. I meant that Armstrong being the senior – which I know him to be – he has a right to the rank unless he is unfit in some way, which unfitness cannot be because there is a better man his junior. Am I not correct?’
    ‘You are exactly correct. I am not so much endeavouring to choose between Armstrong and Collins, only to discern whether Armstrong is truly meet. He has been through much these past five years.’
    ‘What is it, then, that you require of your serjeant-major?’
    Hervey smiled, being back on safe ground. ‘That is very easily stated,’ he declared, rising and taking from the writing table a small, bound volume –
The Standing Orders of His Majesty’s Sixth Light Dragoons
. He turned the pages until he found the words he was looking for – the wisdom of the regiment’s seventy