During the scene between Hibbert and Stanhope it is a intense conversation.
Hibbert claims he is extremely ill with neuralgia, as a result he needs to go and see the doctor and get send home. Stanhope doesn't believe in deserting, and thinks its immoral to desert now, with the big attack so close.
There are some key quotations in the scene that show us how they are feeling, there 'thoughts aloud'.
Stanhope says 'God! - you little swine . You know what that means? Striking a superior officer!'
I can imagine Stanhope is furious, firstly because Hibbert is trying to run away from something they all have to do, he is trying to save himself and get himself out of the situation, therefore he thinks he's faking it. He is also furious because he hits Stanhope as he tries to get past, and from his expression we know that he is aggravated by this and contemplates shooting him, because he goes onto say,
''If you went I'd have you shot - for deserting. Its a hell of a disgrace to die like that.'
Stanhope almost blackmails him, he probably thinks, why should this little animal run away because he doesn't 'like' it. We are all damn scared and don't want to be here, but we have to see this out till the end, and we have to serve our country, we have to get the job done.
Hibbert on the other hand is probably terrified, and even more terrified that Stanhope would actually shoot him if he ran away. The fact that he would have the courage to shoot him, and not believe him when he says he's extremely ill. If I was Hibbert I would be very angry with Stanhope, for many different reasons and perhaps I would lash out at him, like he does, if I wanted to get away so badly.
When he says 'I tell you, I can't - the pain's nearly sending me mad. I'm going; I've got my stuff packed. I am going now and you can't stop me.'
He believes that there is nothing Stanhope can do from him running, from him getting out. He believes that if he runs now then he can get home, he underestimates the fact that Stanhope is willing to shot him if he runs away. He underestimates Stanhope, what he believes in and what he is prepared to keep order in his company. Therefore when Stanhope starts to threaten him with a gun, he is shocked 'you wouldn't dare', he can't believe that he would do that. Therefore the situation changes and suddenly one character completely takes control and the other backs away, wanting to run away, however he backs down.
When Stanhope gives Hibbert a minute to decide if he is going to run and be killed or stay Hibbert probably thinks that death would be better than this. He probably loses all his trust in Stanhope, as a result of his reactions, he probably feels angry and wants to lash out. He just wants to run away, get away from everyone and everything. Stanhope doesn't believe that running away can help anything, if I was him i would be so angry and I suppose the only way to really make Hibbert to stay is to produce a gun, how much does he want to run away? How bad is his problem?
The threat means Hibbert runs away, backs down and realises that he doesn't want to die, not matter 'how bad the pain is'.
