His pleasant voice rang out at once.
"Hallo! Hallo! You are a good Samaritan. Is that you, Marigold?
There's a comfortable chair by the bedside for Major Meredyth."
He seemed remarkably strong and hearty; far from any danger of
death. Stubs of cigarettes were lying in an ash-tray on the bed.
In a moment or two they settled me down and left me alone with
him.
As soon as he heard the click of the door he said:
"I've done more than I set out to do. You remember our
conversation. I said I should either get the V.C. or never see you
again. I've managed both."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I shall never see you or anybody else again, or a dog or a cat,
or a tree or a flower."
Then, for the first time the dreadful truth broke upon me.
"Good Heavens!" I cried. "Your eyes--?"
"Done in. Blind. It's a bit ironical, isn't it?" He laughed
bitterly.
What I said by way of sympathy and consolation is neither here nor
there. I spoke sincerely from my heart, for I felt overwhelmed by
the tragedy of it all. He stretched out his hand and grasped mine.
"I knew you wouldn't fail me. Your sort never does. You understand
now why I wanted you to come?--To prepare the old mother for the
shock.
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