Putting Humpty together again

The lad went wherever Matthew directed him after they left the stream, following his instructions almost dully. He seemed spiritless, and Matthew gathered he was somewhat in shock after the business with Sir Arthur. The Commander-in-Chief had scared the bloody wits out of the poor thing, and who knew what Vickery was going to say? The young captain had seemed a pleasant enough man to Matthew, but Pye was one of the rank-and-file.

But he would be alright. Matthew was optimistic about the matter in any case, and even if he hadn't been, he was determined to see to it personally that it came out alright for Pye. "Cheer up!" he said to Pye as they reached his wagon. "One way or another, this will all sort itself out. There's no sense in a long face, now!"

Pye had much more bleak of an outlook on things than Broderick. He shook his head, sighed and lowered his gaze. "..." He did not say anything for a few moments and only sat himself down. He pulled the cape tighter around his shoulders and kept his injured hand carefully under it and out of much contact with the fabric.

"...Sir.." He began, his voice even more broken than he felt. "...I've disappoint'd captain Vickery. ...He'll send me back to the 33rd... and... and he'll be right about it.. because I deserve it. I disappointed 'im." His voice shook and he appeared younger than his age only because he looked like a small pup, that knew how badly he had disappointed his master.