BUCKTHORN. I'll tell Old Margery to bring in tea for both of us, Barket.
BUCKTHORN. Yes; and later in the evening we'll have something else, together. This is a great day for all of us. I'm not your commander to-day, but your old comrade in arms--[_Laying his arm over_ BARKET'S _shoulder._]--and I'm glad I don't have to pull myself up now every time I forget my dignity. Ah! you and I will be laid away before long, but we'll be together again in the next world, won't we, Barket?
BARKET. Wid yer honour's permission. [_Saluting._
BUCKTHORN. Ha--ha--ha! [_Laughing._] If we do meet there I'm certain you'll salute me as your superior officer. There's old Margery, now. [_Looking to door. Calls._] Margery! Tea for two!
MARGERY. [_Without._] The tay be waiting for ye, sur; and it be boilin' over wid impatience.
BUCKTHORN. Bring up a chair, Barket. [_Sitting in arm-chair._
BARKET. [_Having placed table and drawing up a chair._] Do you know, Gineral, I don't fale quite aisy in my moind. I'm not quite sure that Margery will let us take our tay together. [_Sits down, doubtfully._
BUCKTHORN. I hadn't thought of that. I--[_Glancing right._]--I hope she will, Barket. But, of course, if she won't--she's been commander-in-chief of my household ever since Jenny was a baby.
BUCKTHORN. You and Old Margery never got along very well in those days; but I thought you had made it all up; she nursed you through your wound, last summer, and after the battle of Cedar Creek, also.
BARKET. Yis, sur, bliss her kind heart, she's been like a wife to me; and that's the trouble. A man's wife is such an angel when he's ill that he dreads to get well; good health is a misfortune to him. Auld Margery and I have had anither misunderstanding.
BUCKTHORN. I'll do the best I can for both of us, Barket. You were telling me about the battle of--
BARKET. Just afther the battle of Sayder Creek began, whin Colonel Wist rode to the front to mate his raytrating rigiment--
_Enter_ OLD MARGERY, _tray, tea, &c. She stops abruptly, looking at_ BARKET. _He squirms in his chair._ BUCKTHORN _rises and stands with his back to the mantel._ OLD MARGERY _moves to the table, arranges things on it, glances at_ BARKET, _then at_ BUCKTHORN, _who looks up at ceiling, rubbing his chin, &c._ OLD MARGERY _takes up one of the cups, with saucer._