"
"That's moonshine," said I. And as regards the drinking, drabbing,
and gaming of course it was. But the suggestion of cowardice gave
me a sharp stab of surprise and dismay.
"I know it is," said Marigold. "But the people hereabouts are so
ignorant, you can make them believe anything." Marigold was a man
of Kent and had a poor opinion of those born and bred in other
counties. "I met Gedge this morning," he continued, and thereupon
gave me the substance of the conversation. I hardly think the
adjectives of the report were those that were really used.
"So your precious Colonel has got the V.C.," sneered Gedge.
"He has," said Marigold. "And it's too great an honour for your
inconsiderable town."
"If this inconsiderable town knew as much about him as I do, it
would give him the order of the precious boot."
"And what do you know?" asked Marigold.
"That's what all you downtrodden slaves of militarism would like
to find out," replied Gedge. "The time will come when I, and such
as I, will tear the veils away and expose them, and say 'These be
thy gods, O Israel.'"
"The time will come," retorted Marigold, "when if you don't hold
your precious jaw, I and such as I will smash it into a thousand
pieces.
Pages:
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321