I could name a dozen men in India who owe their commissions to him.
I don't know what the regiment would do without him."
"He went home on leave just after I joined," one of the subalterns
said. "Of course, I know, from all I have heard of him, that he is
an awfully good fellow, but from the little I saw of him myself,
he seemed always growling and snapping."
There was a general laugh from the others.
"Yes, that is his way, Thompson," the Major said; "he believes
himself to be one of the most cynical and morose of men."
"He was married, wasn't he, Major?"
"Yes, it was a sad business. It was only just after I joined. He
is three years senior to me in the regiment. He was appointed to
it a month or two after the Colonel joined. Well, as I say, a month
or two after I came to it, he went away on leave down to Calcutta,
where he was to meet a young lady who had been engaged to him before
he left home. They were married, and he brought her up country.
Before she had been with us a month we had one of those outbreaks
of cholera. It wasn't a very severe one. I think we only lost eight
or ten men, and no officer; but the Doctor's young wife was attacked,
and in three or four hours she was carried off. It regularly broke
him down. However, he got over it, as we all do, I suppose; and
now I think he is married to the regiment. He could have had staff
appointments a score of times, but he has always refused them.
His time is up next year, and he could go home on full pay, but I
don't suppose he will.
Pages:
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44