"But you _have_ seen active service, Hector. Surely once is enough for any man, besides, you did so well then, everyone knows you ought to have got the V.C. Oh, by the way, I have meant to ask you for some time, do you know a—— Oh, bother, there’s a caller, don’t go. Hector, it’s only Mrs. Swaine. How do you do, Mrs. Swaine?" to the lady who was ushered in by the bearer.
"So glad to find you in, Mrs. Graeme," said the new-comer. "I came round to ask whether you and your husband would care to come round to lunch to-day. Rather short notice, I’m afraid, but my nephew has just received orders for South Africa; he goes to-night, and I’m inviting a few friends to give him a send-off."
"Your nephew? oh, how dreadful for you, Mrs. Swaine, I’m so sorry."
"Oh, I don’t know, after all, it’s what soldiers are for, and Tom’s really very fortunate to be selected. Everyone’s applying nowadays, you know, and nearly all are refused. They only take the best men, and Tom, though he is my nephew, is very highly thought of at Headquarters."
"They’d like my husband to go, I know," said Lucy, up in arms at once, "he only has to apply."
"Oh, really? I didn’t know they’d take married men. Sir Henry told me the other day they wouldn’t. Anyway, I’m sure Captain Graeme wouldn’t think of leaving you ... now," with an arch smile at the frowning Hector, "the thing’s quite unthinkable. But about lunch, will you come?"
"Thank you very much, Mrs. Swaine, I should like to, but I’m afraid my husband——"
"Capital," said the lady. "Well, I must be off, I’ve got all sorts of things to see about. Good-bye, you two, so glad," and away trotted Mrs. Swaine, leaving silence behind her.
"Hector dear," said Lucy, after a pause, "you didn’t mind what that woman said? She’s a good soul really, only tactless."
"Not I," said Hector, "but you were saying something when she came in. You asked me if I knew——"
"Oh yes, General Quentin, such a curious person, Hector. They call him Golliwog here, and I should say he has about as much intelligence. Really, I don’t think I ever met such a dull person in my life before."
"He’s one of the few men I know, Lucy, whose opinion I respect. Also, he’s the only fellow in the army from whom I ever learnt anything."