"Anyway, stand by."
The neighbours came out of adjoining houses; slatternly women with
babies, more unwashed children, an elderly, vacant male or two--
the young men and maidens had not yet been released from the
mills. As far as I could gather, there was amused discussion among
the gossips concerning the salient features of Sergeant Marigold's
physical appearance. I heard one lady bid another to look at his
wicked old eye, and receive the humorous rejoinder: "Which one?" I
should have liked to burn them as witches; but Marigold stood his
ground, imperturbable.
Presently the door opened, and Betty came sailing down the path
with a red spot on each cheek, followed by Mrs. Tufton,
vociferous.
"Sergeant Marigold," cried Betty. "Will you kindly go into that
house and fetch out Corporal Tufton's kit-bag?"
"Very good, madam," said Marigold.
"Sergeant or no sergeant," cried Mrs. Tufton, squaring her elbows
and barring his way, "nobody's coming into my house to touch any
of my husband's property...." Really what she said I cannot
record. The British Tommy I know upside-down, inside-out. I could
talk to you about him for the week together. The ordinary
soldier's wife, good, straight, heroic soul, I know as well and
and profoundly admire as I do the ordinary wife of a brother-
officer, and I could tell you what she thinks and feels in her own
language.
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