"Come to think of it," Jed replied, "I reckon it wuz. There wuz such a
hurrah when the lights keep a-goin' out, I never did get to hear what
Ma had to say. 'N by the time we got back from that little walk, I
plumb fergot to ask her.
"You know somethin' Harry, I plumb fergot what would happen to them
lights. By gosh, I reckon I wuz the one what got us all in trouble. I
jest reckon I better go 'n tell the fellers I'm sorry 'bout that."
Fisher grabbed his sleeve. "Oh no you don't," he snapped. "You're
coming with me."
Ten minutes later, two slightly scared recruits stood on the steps
leading to the post commander's quarters. Jed started back down the
steps. Harry held tightly to his arm. "Come on," he whispered
savagely, "we're going to talk with the colonel, Jed. Now don't you go
getting chicken on me, you hear."
"Harry, I ain't never even see'd no colonel, much less 'n talk to
one," Jed said, "and I reckon I jest as soon not, if'n you don't
mind."
"I do mind," Harry snapped and pulled Jed up to the door.
Their ring was answered by a pretty, teenaged girl. She smiled
inquiringly at the two young soldiers.
"Miss," Harry stammered, "we'd like to talk with Colonel Cartwright,
please."
The girl turned into the house. "Dad," she called, "someone to see
you."
Colonel William Cartwright came to the door. The light from the room
glinted off the silver eagle on his collar. He looked at the two young
soldiers. "What can I do for you men?" he asked.
"Sir," Harry answered with a stiff salute and a quavering voice, "I'm
Private Harry Fisher and this is Private Jediah Cromwell, sir."
The colonel returned the salute. "All right, at ease. What do you
want?"
Harry gulped and took a firm grip on his courage. "Sir," he barked
out, "are your house lights all in good working order?"
"What?" Cartwright exploded. "What the devil are you talking about,
soldier?"
"Sir, we've got to show you something right now," Harry stammered.
"It's urgent, colonel."
"Now see here Fisher," the colonel said, "we've got proper channels
for any problems you might have and I don't take care of those things
at my quarters. I have an office in post headquarters and with the
permission of your company commander, you can see my adjutant during
duty hours. Or the chaplain."
"Please, sir," Harry gulped. "It's awfully important."
"Well," the colonel hesitated, "this is most unusual."
"Yes, sir, it is most unusual," Harry agreed.
"All right," the post commander sighed, "what is it?"
"Sir, are your house lights all working?" Harry repeated.
"Now look here, Fisher, if this is some sort of a gag, I'll see
that...."
"No, sir," Harry repeated strenuously, "I really mean the question."
The colonel glanced back over his shoulder into the house. He turned
back to the pair. "Yes, the lights appear to be all functioning."
Harry turned to Jed. "Talk to your mother, Jed," he whispered.