"And I don't
blame Him. Of course, from your point of view, you're right.
You're a normal, honourable soldier and gentleman. Anything you've
got to reproach yourself with is of very little importance. But
I'm an accursed freak. I told you all about it when you held me up
over the South African affair. There were other affairs after
that. Others again in this war. Haven't I just told you I let my
regiment down?"
"Don't, my dear man, don't!" I cried, in great pain, for it was
horrible to hear a man talk like this. "Can't you see you've wiped
out everything?"
"There's one thing at any rate I can't ever wipe out," he said in
a low voice. Then he laughed. "I've got to stick it. It may be
amusing to see how it all pans out. I suppose the very last
passion left us is curiosity."
"There's also the unconquerable soul," said I.
"You're very comforting," said he. "If I were in your place, I'd
leave a chap like me to the worms." He drew a long breath. "I
suppose I'll pull through all right."
"Of course you will," said I.
"I feel tons better, thanks to you, already."
"That's right," said I.
He fumbled for the box of cigarettes on the bed.
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