"Smithson," said Dick, feeling as if he would like to kick the mean-spirited little cad. "Oh, Smithson, eh?--son of the great Smith!" He looked round, twinkling, for a laugh to follow what he meant for a joke; and the obsequious bandsmen uttered a sniggering kind of concreted grin, followed instantly by a loud-toned sonorous _Phoomp_! from the huge bell-mouth of the contra-bass. "What do you mean by that, Banks?" cried the bandmaster, as soon as there was silence, for the men had burst into a loud and general roar. "Beg pardon, sir; I was listening, sir," said the offender. "It was only one of those deep notes I was doubtful about." "Then don't you let it occur again, sir! It was an excuse for a marked show of disrespect, and I won't have it! Here is the colonel complaining about the inefficiency of our band, and people are saying that the 310th is far better--which is a lie, a ridiculous lie--but I want to know how our band is to become efficient if there is not more discipline maintained?" "Beg pardon, sir?" "Silence, sir! Attend to what I say! I have long noted a want of attention among the men--a mutinous spirit--and I won't allow it! While I'm bandmaster, I'll be treated with proper respect; and, mark this, our band shall be efficient, and the members shall practise till they are!" He tapped the music-stand sharply, raised his baton, and then went on talking. "Here, you!" he cried. "Smithson, didn't you say?" "Yes, sir." "What did you say?" "Smithson, sir." "How dare you!" yelled the bandmaster, scarlet now with passion, for the men burst out laughing again. "Don't you try to crack your miserable, contemptible jokes on me, sir!" "That was no joke, sir," said Dick. "No, sir, it was not!" said the bandmaster, sharply. "You'll find jokes dangerous things to crack here, sir!" There was a murmur of acquiescence, and the little man smiled approval. "Thought you were alluding to my name, sir," said Dick, apologetically. "Indeed, sir?" said the bandmaster, sarcastically. "Not such an attractive name that I would care to allude to it." "Oh, you meant about the music of _Faust_, sir?" said Dick, pronouncing the name of the opera as a German would--something like _Fowst_. "The music of what?" said the bandmaster, screwing up his face as if the sound were unpleasant to his ears. "Gounod's opera, sir, I said. I know it pretty well." "Dear me! you seem to know everything `pretty well;' perhaps you know how to conduct `pretty well,' and would like to take my stick and lead?" Dick looked down at the music, but made no reply, though the bandmaster waited for a few moments.