Indeed, I did arrest a fresh-faced subaltern
bringing up the rear of the battery who, having acquaintance with
me, saluted, and I shouted:
"They're magnificent!"
He reared up his horse and flushed with pleasure.
"We've done our best, sir," said he. "We had news last week that
we should be sent out quite soon, and that has bucked them up
enormously."
He saluted again and rode off, and my heart went with him. What a
joy it would be to clatter down a road once again with the guns!
And other people passed. Townsfolk who gave me a kindly "Morning,
Major!" and went on, and others who paused awhile and gave me the
gossip of the day. And presently young Randall Holmes went by on a
motor bicycle. He caught sight of me, disappeared, and then
suddenly reappeared, wheeling his machine. He rested it by the
kerb of the sidewalk and approached the railings. He was within a
yard of me.
"Would you let me speak to you for half a minute, Major?"
"Certainly," said I. "Come in."
He swung through the gate and crossed the lawn.
"You said very hard things to me some time ago."
"I did," said I, "and I don't think they were undeserved."
"Up to a certain point I agree with you," he replied.
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