"He ain't waiting for any compliments, I guess," said Herzog. "What he wants is for you to be there on time so's we can give you the dope on the bit you're going to play and get you measured for the clothes and all. Did I mention to you that you're cast for a battle scene? Well, you are. Possibly you seen some of this here war-stuff in your day, eh?" "Sir," said the Captain stiffly, "I had four years of service in a heroic struggle such as this world never before had seen. Permit me to ask you a question: Possibly--I say possibly--you may have heard of the War Between the Sections for the Southern Confederacy?" "Well, if I did, it wasn't by that name," confessed the tactless Mr. Herzog. "What's the diff', if I did or I didn't?" "None whatsoever, sir, to you," stated Captain Teal. "The difference to me is that I took part in that great conflict." But his irony was lost and spent itself on the soft California air. By clamping his hat, which he had worn throughout the interview, more firmly down upon his head, Mr. Herzog, still all tolerant affability, now indicated that he was about to take his departure. "One moment, if you please," added Captain Teal. "There is another matter which I desire may be brought to the attention of my worthy friend, Mr. Gillespie." He spoke as one conferring favors rather than as one who just had been made the recipient of a favor. "Stopping here in this same establishment is a most gifted young Southern lady--a Miss Blossom Lamar Clayton. She has had experience of the dramatic profession; I would say she has undoubted gifts. But as yet she has been unable, through lack of suitable opportunity, to demonstrate her abilities in the local field. Personally, I am most deeply interested in her future--" "Why, Foxy Grandpa, you old son of a gun!" exclaimed the edified Mr. Herzog. With a jovial thumb he harpooned the Captain in the ribs. "What do you mean, you old rascal, hooking up with a skirt at your age?" "Sir," said Captain Teal, in an awful, withering voice, "it pleases you to be offensive. The young lady in question not only is my protégée, in a way of speaking, but I have the very great honor to be distantly related to her family. Do I make myself sufficiently plain to your understanding? And kindly remember also that my name to you, sir, and all your ilk is Teal, Captain Rodney Teal, sir." But Mr. Herzog declined to wither. "No offense," he said. "Just let me see if I get the big idea? I suppose you want Gillespie to give the gal the once-over and see whether he can use her?" "In other words than those you use, that, sir, was the concern I had in mind," said Captain Teal.