Biggles of 266

Algy stiffened and swallowed hard. "Very good, sir!" he ground out between his clenched teeth. He saluted briskly, reported to the squadron office as instructed, then returned to the tarmac. Several officers regarded him sympathetically. One of them winked and inclined his head. Algy halted near him. "What's the name of that dismal Jonah?" he asked softly. "And what's biting him, anyway? Has he had a shock of some sort, or is it just plain nasty-mindedness?"