_Grant._ Indeed! Your orders are strict. (_Looks at_ ROB _keenly, then throws away cigar, and enters_. BOXER _enters_ L., _meeting him_.) Good-evening, colonel. _Boxer_ (_saluting_). Good-evening, general. You have surprised our post. The colonel is absent. Can I be of service? _Grant_ (_sitting in chair, and tilting back against table_). Your sentinel ordered me to throw away my cigar. _Boxer._ He did? confound him! Here, sentinel! (ROB _steps inside door_.) Do you know what you have done? _Rob._ Obeyed orders, colonel. _Grant._ Do you know me, sentinel? _Rob_ (_saluting_). I do, general. _Boxer._ And didn't you know better— _Grant._ One moment, colonel. Sentinel, you are the first man that ever dared put out my cigar. You did perfectly right: orders must be obeyed. Your name. _Rob._ Robert Trueworth. _Grant._ How long have you been in service? _Rob._ Two years. _Grant._ That's all. (_Waves his hand._ ROB _salutes and retires_.) Colonel, your orders are too strict. I cannot talk without a cigar. _Boxer._ Sorry I have not one to offer you, for I do like to see a man enjoy himself. My orders could not apply to you, general. _Grant._ Thank you; having permission, I can find the cigar. (_Takes out cigar, and lights it._) I always go armed. That man at the door,—what is his record? _Boxer._ Excellent: every inch a soldier; the bravest of the brave. _Grant._ Two years of service, and still a private? _Boxer._ Yes, general; although he has been honorably mentioned. (_Coughs._) (_Aside._) Confound his nasty cigar! (_Aloud._) There's not the best of feeling towards him on the part of our colonel. A brave soldier, general, but queer. It seems they quarrelled before entering service. (_Coughs._) (_Aside._) Oh, I shall choke! (_Aloud._) A love-affair, I believe. The private won the girl, and so he's not pushed. _Grant._ Indeed! the colonel brings his private piques into the battle-field. I rather like this boy. (_Looks round._) Can't we get out of earshot? _Boxer._ Certainly; in my room. (_Crosses stage, and then opens door_ L.) Walk in, general. (GRANT _rises, and crosses stage_.) We shall be secure from interruption here. _Grant._ No: it's pleasant outside; let's walk awhile. (_Passes out door off_ L., _smoking_.) _Boxer._ Bah! I foresee a smoky campaign here. (_Following him._) _Crimp_ (_raising his head_). By golly! dat ar fellar's a high buck. Ain't dey nebber gwine to reliebe dat guard? (COL. ROWELL _appears_ R., _passes window to door_. ROB _salutes, he enters_. CRIMP _drops his head_.)