"Superior to my station, in fact."

"By no means, Sergeant McKay. I should be sorry to admit that any man,
however highly born, had lost his right to be deemed a gentleman
because he is a sergeant in the Royal Picts."

"You, Hyde, are a gentleman too. I am sure of that."

"I am a sergeant in the Royal Picts. That is enough for me and for
you."

"Why did you enlist?"

Hyde shook his head gravely.

"There are pages in every man's life," he said, "which he does not
care to lift again when they are once turned down. I have not asked
you for your secret; respect mine."

"But I have nothing to conceal," said McKay, quickly. "I am ready
enough to tell you why I enlisted."

"As you please; but, mind, I have not asked you."

There was little encouragement in this speech; but McKay ignored it,
and went on--

"I enlisted because I could not enter the army in any other way. My
friends could not afford to purchase me a commission."