Mulvaney is the perfect type of the Irish
soldier, with all his good qualities, resource,
humour, courage at their highest, and also all
his weaknesses, chief of which is of coiurse the
unconquerable lure of the canteen. He has
been made a corporal early, and has splendid
prospects. But he has been " rejuced afther-
wards " and is now the best soldier in the
regiment — when sober — and when drunk to be
passed over at parade by officer and sergeant,
if it be humanly possible to do so. He is loved

105



RUDYARD KIPLING

and laughed at, and he is not unconscious of
his shame.
