第8章

Captain，youtalktotheCompany’smens。Ithinktheyarenotpleased。"

"Naturally。"

"Theyhavenosense。Ithoughttogobackwardsagaintheywould。I

leaveherstockadealoneallnighttoletthemout，buttheystayandcomefacewardstome，notbackwards。Theydidnotknowwemustconquermuchinallthesebattles，ortheking，heiskickedoffherthrone。Nowwehavewonthisbattle-thisgreatbattle，"hewavedhisarmsabroad，"andIthinkyouwillsaysothatwehavewon，Captain。Youareloyalistalso。YouwouldnotdisturbtothepeacefulEurope？Captain，Itellyouthis。YourQueensheknowtoo。Shewouldnotfighthercousins。Itisa-ahand-upthing。"

"What？"

"Hand-upthing。Jobeyouput。Howyousay？"

"Put-upjob？"

"Yes。Put-upjob。Whoishurt？Wewin。Youlose。Allrighta？"

Bai-Jove-Judsonhadbeenexplodingatintervalsforthelastfiveminutes。Herehebrokedowncompletelyandroaredaloud。

"Butlookhere，Governor，"hesaidatlast，"I’vegottothinkofotherthingsthanyourriotsinEurope。You’vefiredonourflag。"

"Captain，ifyouareme，youwouldhavedonehow？Andalso，andalso，"hedrewhimselfuptohisfullheight，"wearebothbravemenofbravestcountries。OurhonouristhehonourofourKing，"

hereheuncovered，"andofourQueen，"herehebowedlow。"Now，Captain，youshallshellmypalaceandIshallbeyourprisoner。"

"Skittles！"saidBai-Jove-Judson。"Ican’tshellthatoldhencoop。"

"Thencometodinner。Madeira，shearestilltous，andIhaveofthebestshemanufac。"

Heskippedoverthesidebeaming，andBai-Jove-Judsonwentintothecabintolaughhislaughout。WhenhehadrecoveredalittlehesentMr。DaviestotheheadofthePioneers，thedustymanwiththegatlings，andthetroopswhohadabandonedthepursuitofarmswatchedthedisgracefulspectacleoftwomenreelingwithlaughteronthequarter-deckofagunboat。

"I’llputmymentobuildhimacustom-house，"saidtheheadofthePioneers，gasping。"We’llmakehimonedecentroadatleast。

ThatGovernoroughttobeknighted。I’mgladnowthatwedidn’tfight’emintheopen，orwe’dhavekilledsomeofthem。Sohe’swongreatbattles，hashe？Givehimthecomplimentsofthevictims，andtellhimI’mcomingtodinner。Youhaven’tsuchathingasadress-suit，haveyou？Ihaven’tseenoneforsixmonths。"

Thateveningtherewasadinnerinthevillage-ageneralandenthusiasticdinner，whoseheadwasintheGovernor’shouse，andwhosetailthreshedatlargethroughoutallthestreets。TheMadeirawaseverythingthattheGovernorhadsaid，andmore，anditwastestedagainsttwoorthreebottlesofBai-Jove-Judson’sbestVanderhum，whichisCapebrandytenyearsinthebottle，flavouredwithorange-peelandspices。Beforethecoffeewasremoved（bytheladywhohadmadetheflagoftruce）theGovernorhadsoldthewholeofhisgovernorshipanditsappurtenances，oncetoBai-Jove-JudsonforservicesrenderedbyJudson’sgrandfatherinthePeninsularWar，andoncetotheheadofthePioneers，inconsiderationofthatgentleman’sgoodfriendship。Afterthenegotiationheretreatedforawhileintoaninnerapartment，andthereevolvedatrueandcompleteaccountofthedefeatoftheBritisharms，whichhereadwithhiscockedhatoveroneeyetoJudsonandhiscompanion。ItwasJudsonwhosuggestedthesinkingoftheflat-ironwithallhands，andtheheadofthePioneerswhosuppliedthelistofkilledandwounded（notmorethantwohundred）inhiscommand。

"Gentlemen，"saidtheGovernorfromunderhiscockedhat，"thepeaceofEuropearesavedbythisraporta。YoushallallbeKnightsoftheGoldenHide。Sheshallgobythe’Guadala’。"

"GreatHeavens！"saidBai-JoveJudson，flushedbutcomposed，"thatremindsmeI’veleftthatboatstuckonherbroadsidedowntheriver。Imustgodownandsoothethecommandante。He’llbebluewithrage。Governor，letusgoasailontherivertocoolourheads。Apicnic，youunderstand。"

"Ya-as，everythingIunderstand。Ho！Apicnica！Youareallmyprisoner，butIamgoodgaoler。Weshallpicnicontheriver，andweshalltakeallthegirls。Comeon，myprisoners。"

"Idohope，"saidtheheadofthePioneers，staringfromtheverandahintotheroaringvillage，"thatmychapswon’tsetthetownalightbyaccident。Hullo！Hullo！AguardofhonourforHisExcellencythemostillustriousGovernor！"

Somethirtymenansweredthecall，madeaswayinglineuponamoreswayingcourse，andboretheGovernormostswayinglyofallhighinthearmsastheystaggereddowntotheriver。Andthesongthattheysangbadethem，"Swing，swingtogethertheirbodybetweentheirknees"；andtheyobeyedthewordsofthesongfaithfully，exceptthattheywereanythingbut"steadyfromstroketobow。"

HisExcellencytheGovernorsleptonhisuneasylitter，anddidnotwakewhenthechorusdroppedhimonthedeckoftheflat-iron。

"Good-nightandgood-bye，"saidtheheadofthePioneerstoJudson；"I’dgiveyoumycardifIhadit，butI’msodamneddrunkIhardlyknowmyownclub。Oh，yes！It’stheTravellers。IfeverwemeetinTown，rememberme。Imuststayhereandlookaftermyfellows。We’reallrightintheopen，now。Is’poseyou’llreturntheGovernorsometime。Thisisapoliticalcrisis。Good-night。"

Theflat-ironwentdownstreamthroughthedark。TheGovernorsleptondeck，andJudsontookthewheel，buthowhesteered，andwhyhedidnotrunintoeachbankmanytimes，thatofficerdoesnotremember。Mr。Daviesdidnotnoteanythingunusual，fortherearetwowaysoftakingtoomuch，andJudsonwasonlyward-room，notfoc’s’ledrunk。AsthenightgrewcoldertheGovernorwokeup，andexpressedadesireforwhiskeyandsoda。Whenthatcametheywerenearlyabreastofthestranded"Guadala"，andHisExcellencysalutedtheflagthathecouldnotseewithloyalandpatrioticstrains。

"Theydonotsee。Theydonothear，"hecried。"Tenthousandsaints！Theysleep，andIhavewonbattles！Ha！"

Hestartedforwardtothegun，which，verynaturally，wasloaded，pulledthelanyard，andwokethedeadnightwiththeroarofthefullchargebehindacommonshell。Thatshellmercifullyjustmissedthesternofthe"Guadala"，andburstonthebank。"NowyoushallsaluteyourGovernor，"saidhe，asheheardfeetrunninginalldirectionswithintheironskin。"Whyyoudemandsobaseaquarter？Iamherewithallmyprisoners。"

Inthehurly-burlyandthegeneralshriekformercyhisreassuranceswerenotheard。

"Captain，"saidagravevoicefromtheship，"wehavesurrendered。

IsitthecustomoftheEnglishtofireonahelplessship’？"

Surrendered！HolyVirgin！Igotocutoffalltheirheads。Youshallbeatebywildants-floggedanddrowned。Throwmeabalcony。ItisI，theGovernor！Youshallneversurrender。Judsonofmysoul，ascendherinsides，andsendmeabed，forIamsleepy；but，oh，Iwillmultipletimekillthatcaptain！"

"Oh！"saidthevoiceinthedarkness，"Ibegintocomprehend。"Andarope-ladderwasthrown，upwhichtheGovernorscrambled，withJudsonathisheels。

"Nowwewillenjoyexecutions，"saidtheGovernoronthedeck。

"AlltheseRepublicansshallbeshot。LittleJudson，ifIamnotdrunk，whyaresoslopingtheboardswhichdonotsupport？"

Thedeck，asIhavesaid，wasataverystiffcant。HisExcellencysatdown，slidtoleeward，andwasasleepagain。

Thecaptainofthe"Guadala"bithismoustachefuriously，andmutteredinhisowntongue："Thislandisthefatherofgreatvillainsandthestepfatherofhonestmen。Youseeourmaterial，Captain。Itissoeverywherewithus。Youhavekilledsomeoftherats，Ihope？"

"Notarat，"saidJudsongenially。

"Thatisapity。Iftheyweredead，ourcountrymightsendusmen；

butourcountryisdeadtoo，andIamdishonouredonamud-bankthroughyourEnglishtreachery。"

"Well，itseemstomethatfiringonalittletubofoursizewithoutawordofwarning，whenyouknowthatthecountrieswereatpeace，istreacheryenoughinasmallway。"

"Ifoneofmygunshadtouchedyou，youwouldhavegonetothebottom，allofyou。IwouldhavetakentheriskwithmyGovernment。Bythattimeitwouldhavebeen-"

"ARepublic？Soyoureallydidmeanfightingonyourownhook？

You’reratheradangerousofficertocutlooseinanavylikeyours。Well，whatareyougoingtodonow？"

"Stayhere。Goawayinboats。Whatdoesitmatter？Thatdrunkencat"-hepointedtotheshadowinwhichtheGovernorslept-"ishere。Imusttakehimbacktohishole。"

"Verygood。I’lltowyouoffatdaylightifyougetsteamready。"

"Captain，IwarnyouthatassoonasshefloatsagainIwillfightyou。"

"Humbug！You’llhavelunchwithme，andthenyou’lltaketheGovernoruptheriver。"

Thecaptainwassilentforsometime。Thenhesaid："Letusdrink。

Whatmustbe，mustbe；andafterallwehavenotforgottenthePeninsula。Youwilladmit，Captain，thatitisbadtoberunuponashoallikeamud-dredger？"

"Oh，we’llpullyouoffbeforeyoucansayknife。TakecareofHisExcellency。Ishalltrytogetalittlesleepnow。"

Theysleptonbothshipstillthemorning，andthentheworkoftowingoffthe"Guadala"began。Withthehelpofherownengines，andthetuggingandpuffingoftheflat-iron，sheslidoffthemud-banksidewaysintothedeepwater，theflatironimmediatelyunderherstern，andthebigeyeofthefour-inchgunalmostpeeringthroughthewindowofthecaptain’scabin。

RemorseintheshapeofaviolentheadachehadovertakentheGovernor。Hewasuneasilyconsciousthathemight，perhaps，haveexceededhispowers；andthecaptainofthe"Guadala"，inspiteofallhispatrioticsentiments，remembereddistinctlythatnowarhadbeendeclaredbetweenthetwocountries。HedidnotneedtheGovernor’srepeatedremindersthatwar，seriouswar，meantaRepublicathome，possiblesupersessioninhiscommand，andmuchshootingoflivingmenagainstdeadwalls。

"Wehavesatisfiedourhonour，"saidtheGovernorinconfidence。

"Ourarmyisappeased，andtheraportathatyoutakehomewillshowthatwewereloyalandbrave。Thatothercaptain？Bah！heisaboy。Hewillcallthisa-a。Judsonofmysoul，howyousaythisis-allthisaffairswhichhavetranspiratedbetweenus？"

Judsonwaswatchingthelasthawserslippingthroughthefairlead。

"Callit？Oh，Ishouldcallitratheralark。Nowyourboat’sallright，Captain。Whenwillyoucometolunch？"

"Itoldyou，"saidtheGovernor，"itwouldbealarquetohim。"

"MotheroftheSaints！thenwhatishisseriousness？"saidthecaptain。"Weshallbehappytocomewhenyouplease。Indeed，wehavenootherchoice，"headdedbitterly。

"Notatall，"saidJudson，andashelookedatthethreeorfourshot-blistersonthebowsofhisboatabrilliantideatookhim。

"Itiswewhoareatyourmercy。SeehowHisExcellency’sgunsknockedusabout。"

"SeniorCaptain，"saidtheGovernorpityingly，"thatisverysad。

Youaremostinjured，andyourdecktoo，itisallshotover。Weshallnotbetoosevereonabeatman，shallwe，Captain？"

"Youcouldn’tspareusalittlepaint，couldyou？I’dliketopatchupalittleafterthe-action，"saidJudsonmeditatively，fingeringhisupperliptohideasmile。

"Ourstore-roomisatyourdisposition，"saidthecaptainofthe"Guadala"，andhiseyebrightened；forafewleadsplashesongraypaintmakeabigshow。

"Mr。Davies，goaboardandseewhattheyhavetospare-tospare，remember。Theirspar-colourwithalittleworkingupshouldbejustourfreeboardtint。"

"Oh，yes。I’llsparethem，"saidMr。Daviessavagely。"Idon’tunderstandthishow-d’you-doanddamn-your-eyesbusinesscomingoneatopoftheotherinamannero’speaking。Byallrights，they’reourlawfulprize。"

TheGovernorandthecaptaincametolunchintheabsenceofMr。

Davies。Bai-Jove-Judsonhadnotmuchtooffer，butwhathehadwasgivenasbyabeatenfoemantoagenerousconqueror。Whentheywerealittlewarmed-theGovernorgenialandthecaptainalmosteffusive-heexplained，quitecasually，overtheopeningofabottlethatitwouldnotbetohisinteresttoreporttheaffairseriously，anditwasinthehighestdegreeimprobablethattheAdmiralwouldtreatitinanygravefashion。

"Whenmydecksarecutup"（therewasonegrooveacrossfourplanks），"andmyplatesbuckled"（therewerefiveleadpatchesonthreeplates），"andImeetsuchaboatasthe’Guadala’，andamereaccidentsavesmefrombeingblownoutofthewater-"

"Yes。Amereaccident，Captain。Theshoal-buoyhasbeenlost，"

saidthecaptainofthe’Guadala’。

"Ah？Idonotknowthisriver。Thatwasverysad。ButasIwassaying，whenanaccidentsavesmefrombeingsunk，whatcanIdobutgoaway-ifthatispossible？ButIfearthatIhavenocoalfortheseavoyage。Itisverysad。"JudsonhadcompromisedonwhatheknewoftheFrenchtongueasaworkinglanguage。

"Itisenough，"saidtheGovernor，wavingageneroushand。"Judsonofmysoul，thecoalisyours，andyoushallberepaired-yes，repairedalloverofyourbattle’swounds。Youshallgowithallthehonoursofallthewars。Yourflagshallfly。Yourdrumshallbeat。Your，ah！-jollyboysshallspoketheirbayonets。Isitnotso，Captain？"

"Asyousay，Excellency。Butthetradersinthetown。Whatofthem？"

TheGovernorlookedpuzzledforaninstant。Hecouldnotquiterememberwhathadhappenedtothosejovialmenwhohadcheeredhimovernight。Judsoninterruptedswiftly："HisExcellencyhassetthemtoforcedworksonbarracksandmagazines，and，Ithink，acustom-house。Whenthatisdonetheywillbereleased，Ihope，Excellency。"

"Yes，theyshallbereleasedforyoursake，littleJudsonofmyheart。"Thentheydrankthehealthoftheirrespectivesovereigns，whileMr。Daviessuperintendedtheremovalofthescarredplankandtheshot-marksonthedeckandthebow-plates。

"Oh，thisistoobad，"saidJudsonwhentheywentondeck。"Thatidiothasexceededhisinstructions，but-butyowmustletmepayforthis！"

Mr。Davies，hislegsinthewaterashesatonastagingslungoverthebows，wasacutelyconsciousthathewasbeingblamedinaforeigntongue。Hesmileduneasily，andwentonwithhiswork。

"Whatisit？"saidtheGovernor。

"Thatthick-headhasthoughtthatweneededsomegold-leaf，andhehasborrowedthatfromyourstoreroom，butImustmakeitgood。"

TheninEnglish，"Standup，Mr。Davies。Whatthe-in-doyoumeanbytakingtheirgold-leaf？My-，areweasetofpiratestoscrapethegutsoutofaLevantinebumboat？Lookcontrite，youbutt-ended，broad-breeched，bottle-bellied，swivel-eyedsonofatinker，you！MySoulalive，can’tImaintaindisciplineinmyownshipwithoutablacksmithofaboiler-riveterputtingmetoshamebeforeayellow-nosedpicaroon。Getoffthestaging，Mr。Davies，andgototheengine-room。Putdownthatleaffirst，though，andleavethebookswheretheyare。I’llsendforyouinaminute。Goaft！"

Now，onlytheupperhalfofMr。Davies’sroundfacewasabovethebulwarkswhenthistorrentofabusedescendeduponhim；anditroseinchbyinchastheshowercontinued：blankamazement，bewilderment，rage，andinjuredpridechasingeachotheracrossittillhesawhissuperiorofficer’slefteyelidflutteronthecheektwice。Thenhefledtotheengine-room，andwipinghisbrowwithahandfulofcotton-waste，satdowntoovertakecircumstances。

"Iamdesolated，"saidJudsontohiscompanions，"butyouseethematerialthatyougiveus。Thisleavesmemoreinyourdebtthanbefore。ThestuffIcanreplace"（gold-leafisnevercarriedonfloatinggun-platforms），"butfortheinsolenceofthatmanhowshallIapologise？"

Mr。Davies’smindmovedslowly，butafterawhilehetransferredthecotton-wastefromhisforeheadtohismouthandbitonittopreventlaughter。Hebeganaseconddanceontheengine-roomplates。"Neat！Oh，damnedneat！"hechuckled。"I’veservedwithagoodfew，butthereneverwasonesoneatashim。AndIthoughthewasthenewkindthatdon’tknowhowtoputafewwords，asitwere！"

"Mr。Davies，youcancontinueyourwork，"saidJudsondowntheengine-roomhatch。"Theseofficershavebeengoodenoughtospeakinyourfavour。Makeathoroughjobofitwhileyouareaboutit。

Slaponeverymanyouhave。Wheredidyougetholdofit？"

"Theirstoreroomisaregulartheatre，sir。Youcouldn’tmissit。

There’senoughfortwofirst-rates，andI’vescoffedthebesthalfofit。"

"Looksharp，then。Weshallbecoalingfromherthisafternoon。

You’llhavetocoveritall。"

"Neat！Oh，damnedneat！"saidMr。Daviesunderhisbreath，ashegatheredhissubordinatestogether，andsetaboutaccomplishingthelong-deferredwishofJudson’sheart。

Itwasthe"MartinFrobisher"，theflag-ship，agreatwar-boatwhenshewasnew，inthedayswhenmenbuiltforsailaswellasforsteam。Shecouldturntwelveknotsunderfullsail，anditwasunderthatthatshestoodupthemouthoftheriver，apyramidofsilverbeneaththemoon。TheAdmiral，fearingthathehadgivenJudsonataskbeyondhisstrength，wascomingtolookforhim，andincidentallytodoalittlediplomaticworkalongthecoast。Therewashardlywindenoughtomovethe"Frobisher"acoupleofknotsanhour，andthesilenceofthelandclosedaboutherassheenteredthefairway。Heryardssighedalittlefromtimetotime，andtherippleunderherbowsansweredthesigh。Thefullmoonroseoverthesteamingswamps，andtheAdmiral，gazinguponit，thoughtlessofJudsonandmoreofthesofteremotions。Inanswertotheverymoodofhismind，therefloatedacrossthesilverlevelsofthewater，mellowedbydistancetoamostpoignantsweetness，thethrobofamandolin，andthevoiceofonewhocalleduponagenteelJulia-uponJulia，anduponlove。Thesongceased，andthesighingoftheyardswasallthatbrokethesilenceofthebigship。

Againthemandolinbegan，andthecommanderontheleesideofthequarter-deckgrinnedagrinthatwasreflectedinthefaceofthesignal-midshipman。Notawordofthesongwaslost，andthevoiceofthesingerwasthevoiceofJudson。

"Lastweekdownouralleycameatoff，Niceoldgeyserwithanastycough，Seesmymissus，takeshistopperoff，Quiteinagentlemanlyway"-

andsoontotheendoftheverse。Thechoruswasbornebyseveralvoices，andthesignal-midshipman’sfootbegantotapthedeckfurtively。

"’Whatcheer！’alltheneighbourscried。

’’Ooareyougoingtomeet，Bill？

’Aveyouboughtthestreet，Bill？’

Laugh？-IthoughtIshouldha’diedWhenIknocked’emintheoldKentRoad。"

ItwastheAdmiral’sgig，rowingsoftly，thatcameintothemidstofthatmerrylittlesmoking-concert。ItwasJudson，theberibbonedmandolinroundhisneck，whoreceivedtheAdmiralashecameupthesideofthe"Guadala"，anditmayormaynothavebeentheAdmiralwhostayedtilltwointhemorninganddelightedtheheartsoftheCaptainandtheGovernor。Hehadcomeasanunbiddenguest，andhedepartedasanhonouredone，butstrictlyunofficialthroughout。JudsontoldhistalenextdayintheAdmiral’scabinaswellashecouldinthefaceoftheAdmiral’sgalesoflaughter，butthemostamazingtalewasthattoldbyMr。DaviestohisfriendsinthedockyardatSimon’sTownfromthepointofviewofasecond-classengine-roomartificer，allunversedindiplomacy。

Andiftherebenotrutheitherinmytale，whichisJudson’stale，orthetaleofMr。Davies，youwillnotfindinharbouratSimon’sTownto-dayaflat-bottomedtwin-screwgunboat，designedsolelyforthedefenceofrivers，abouttwohundredandseventytons’displacementandfivefeetdraught，wearinginopendefianceoftherulesoftheServiceagoldlineonhergraypaint。Itfollowsalsothatyouwillbecompelledtocreditthatversionofthefraywhich，signedbyHisExcellencytheGovernoranddespatchedinthe"Guadala"，satisfiedtheself-loveofagreatandgloriouspeople，andsavedamonarchyfromtheill-considereddespotismwhichiscalledaRepublic。

ACONFERENCEOFTHEPOWERS

Lifelivethbutinlife，anddothnotroamTootherlandsifallbewellathome：

"Solidasoceanfoam，"quothoceanfoam。

Theroomwasbluewiththesmokeofthreepipesandacigar。Theleave-seasonhadopenedinIndia，andthefirst-fruitsonthissideofthewaterwere"Tick"Boileau，ofthe45thBengalCavalry，whocalledonme，afterthreeyears’absence，todiscussoldthingswhichhadhappened。Fate，whoalwaysdoesherworkhandsomely，sentupthesamestaircasewithinthesamehourTheInfant，freshfromUpperBurma，andheandBoileaulookingoutofmywindowsawwalkinginthestreetoneNevin，lateinaGoorkharegimentwhichhadbeenthroughtheBlackMountainExpedition。

Theyyelledtohimtocomeup，andthewholeStreetwasawarethattheydesiredhimtocomeup，andhecameup，andtherefollowedPandemoniuminmyroombecausewehadforegatheredfromtheendsoftheearth，andthreeofuswereonaholiday，andnoneofusweretwenty-five，andallthedelightsofallLondonlaywaitingourpleasure。

Boileautooktheonlyotherchair，TheInfant，byrightofhisbulk，thesofa；andNevin，beingalittleman，satcross-leggedonthetopoftherevolvingbookcase，andweallsaid，"Who’dha’

thoughtit！"and"Whatareyoudoinghere？"tillspeculationwasexhaustedandthetalkwentovertoinevitable"shop。"Boileauwasfullofagreatschemeforwinningamilitaryattach？shipatSt。

Petersburg；NevinhadhopesoftheStaffCollege，andTheInfanthadbeenmovingheavenandearthandtheHorseGuardsforacommissionintheEgyptianarmy。

"What’stheuseo’that？"saidNevin，twirlingroundonthebookcase。

"Oh，heaps！’CourseifyougetstuckwithaFellaheenregiment，you’resold；butifyouareappointedtoaSoudaneselot，you’reinclover。Theyarefirst-classfighting-men-andjustthinkoftheeligiblecentralpositionofEgyptinthenextrow！"

Thiswasputtingthematchtoamagazine。WeallbegantoexplaintheCentralAsianquestionoff-hand，flingingarmycorpsfromtheHelmundtoKashmirwithmorethanRussianrecklessness。Eachoftheboysmadeforhimselfawartohisownliking，andwhenwehadsettledallthedetailsofArmageddon，killedallourseniorofficers，handledadivisionapiece，andnearlytorntheatlasintwoinattemptstoexplainourtheories，Boileauneedsmustliftuphisvoiceabovetheclamour，andcry，"Anyhowit’llbethehellofarow！"intonesthatcarriedconvictionfardownthestaircase。

Entered，unperceivedinthesmoke，WilliamtheSilent。"Gen’elmantoseeyou，sir，"saidhe，anddisappeared，leavinginhissteadnoneotherthanMr。EustaceCleever。WilliamwouldhaveintroducedtheDragonofWantleywithequaldisregardofpresentcompany。

"I-Ibegyourpardon。Ididn’tknowthattherewasanybody-

withyou-"

ButitwasnotseemlytoallowMr。Cleevertodepart；hewasagreatman。Theboysremainedwheretheywere，foranymovementwouldhavechokedupthelittleroom。Onlywhentheysawhisgrayhairstheystoodontheirfeet，andwhenTheInfantcaughtthename，hesaid：

"Areyou-didyouwritethatbookcalled’AsitwasintheBeginning’？"

Mr。Cleeveradmittedthathehadwrittenthebook。

"Then-thenIdon’tknowhowtothankyou，sir，"saidTheInfant，flushingpink。"Iwasbroughtupinthecountryyouwroteabout-

allmypeoplelivethere；andIreadthebookincampontheHlinedatalone，andIkneweverystickandstone，andthedialecttoo；and，byJove！itwasjustlikebeingathomeandhearingthecountrypeopletalk。Nevin，youknow’AsitwasintheBeginning’？

SodoesTi-Boileau。"

Mr。Cleeverhastastedasmuchpraise，publicandprivate，asonemanmaysafelyswallow；butitseemedtomethattheoutspokenadmirationinTheInfant’seyesandthelittlestirinthelittlecompanycamehometohimverynearlyindeed。

"Won’tyoutakethesofa？"saidTheInfant。"I’llsitonBoileau’schair，and-"herehelookedatmetospurmetomydutiesasahost；butIwaswatchingthenovelist’sface。Cleeverhadnottheleastintentionofgoingaway，butsettledhimselfonthesofa。

FollowingthefirstgreatlawoftheArmy，whichsays"allpropertyiscommonexceptmoney，andyou’veonlygottoaskthenextmanforthat，"TheInfantofferedtobaccoanddrink。Itwastheleasthecoulddo；butnotthemostlavishpraiseintheworldheldhalfasmuchappreciationandreverenceasTheInfant’ssimple"Saywhen，sir，"abovethelongglass。

Cleeversaid"when，"andmorethereto，forhewasagoldentalker，andhesatinthemidstofhero-worshipdevoidofalltaintofself-interest。Theboysaskedhimofthebirthofhisbook，andwhetheritwashardtowrite，andhowhisnotionscametohim；andheansweredwiththesameabsolutesimplicityashewasquestioned。Hisbigeyestwinkled，hedughislongthinhandsintohisgraybeardandtuggeditashegrewanimated。Hedroppedlittlebylittlefromthepeculiarpinchingofthebroadervowels-theindefinable"euh，"thatrunsthroughthespeechofthepunditcaste-andtheelaboratechoiceofwords，tofreely-

mouthed"ows"and"ois，"and，forhimatleast，unfetteredcolloquialisms。Hecouldnotaltogetherunderstandtheboys，whohunguponhiswordssoreverently。Thelineofthechin-strap，thatstillshowedwhiteanduntannedoncheekboneandjaw，thesteadfastyoungeyespuckeredatthecornersofthelidswithmuchstaringthroughred-

hotsunshine，theslow，untroubledbreathing，andthecurious，crisp，curtspeechseemedtopuzzlehimequally。Hecouldcreatemenandwomen，andsendthemtotheuttermostendsoftheearth，tohelp，delight，andcomfort；hekneweverymoodofthefields，andcouldinterpretthemtothecities，andheknewtheheartsofmanyincityandcountry，buthehadhardly，infortyyears，comeintocontactwiththethingwhichiscalledaSubalternoftheLine。Hetoldtheboysthisinhisownway。

"Well，howshouldyou？"saidTheInfant。"You-you’requitedifferent，y’see，sir。"

TheInfantexpressedhisideasinhistoneratherthanhiswords，butCleeverunderstoodthecompliment。

"We’reonlySubs，"saidNevin，"andwearen’texactlythesortofmenyou’dmeetmuchinyourlife，Is’pose。"

"That’strue，"saidCleever。"Ilivechieflyamongmenwhowrite，andpaint，andsculp，andsoforth。Wehaveourowntalkandourowninterests，andtheouterworlddoesn’ttroubleusmuch。"

"Thatmustbeawfullyjolly，"saidBoileau，ataventure。"Wehaveourownshop，too，but’tisn’thalfasinterestingasyours，ofcourse。Youknowallthemenwho’veeverdoneanything；andweonlyknockaboutfromplacetoplace，andwedonothing。"

"TheArmy’saverylazyprofessionifyouchoosetomakeitso，"

saidNevin。"Whenthere’snothinggoingon，thereisnothinggoingon，andyoulieup。"

"Ortrytogetabilletsomewhere，tobereadyforthenextshow，"

saidTheInfantwithachuckle。

"Tome，"saidCleeversoftly，"thewholeideaofwarfareseemssoforeignandunnatural，soessentiallyvulgar，ifImaysayso，thatIcanhardlyappreciateyoursensations。Ofcourse，though，anychangefromidlingingarrisontownsmustbeagodsendtoyou。"

Likemanyhome-stayingEnglishmen，CleeverbelievedthatthenewspaperphrasehequotedcoveredthewholedutyoftheArmywhosetoilsenabledhimtoenjoyhismany-sidedlifeinpeace。Theremarkwasnotahappyone，forBoileauhadjustcomeofftheFrontier，TheInfanthadbeenonthewarpathfornearlyeighteenmonths，andthelittleredmanNevintwomonthsbeforehadbeensleepingunderthestarsattheperilofhislife。Butnoneofthemtriedtoexplain，tillIventuredtopointoutthattheyhadallseenserviceandwerenotusedtoidling。Cleevertookintheideaslowly。

"Seenservice？"saidhe。Then，asachildmightask，"Tellme。

Tellmeeverythingabouteverything。"

"Howdoyoumean？"saidTheInfant，delightedatbeingdirectlyappealedtobythegreatman。

"GoodHeavens！HowamItomakeyouunderstand，ifyoucan’tsee。

Inthefirstplace，whatisyourage？"

"Twenty-threenextJuly，"saidTheInfantpromptly。

Cleeverquestionedtheotherswithhiseyes。

"I’mtwenty-four，"saidNevin。

"AndI’mtwenty-two，"saidBoileau。

"Andyou’veallseenservice？"

"We’veallknockedaboutalittlebit，sir，butTheInfant’sthewar-wornveteran。He’shadtwoyears’workinUpperBurma，"saidNevin。

"Whenyousaywork，whatdoyoumean，youextraordinarycreatures？"

"Explainit，Infant，"saidNevin。

"Oh，keepingthingsinordergenerally，andrunningaboutafterlittledakus-that’sdacoits-andsoon。There’snothingtoexplain。"

"MakethatyoungLeviathanspeak，"saidCleeverimpatiently，abovehisglass。

"Howcanhespeak？"saidI。"He’sdonethework。Thetwodon’tgotogether。But，Infant，you’reorderedtobukb。"

"Whatabout？I’lltry。"

"Bukbaboutadaur。You’vebeenonheapsof’em，"saidNevin。

"Whatintheworlddoesthatmean？HastheArmyalanguageofitsown？"

TheInfantturnedveryred。Hewasafraidhewasbeinglaughedat，andhedetestedtalkingbeforeoutsiders；butitwastheauthorof"AsitwasintheBeginning"whowaited。

"It’sallsonewtome，"pleadedCleever；"and-andyousaidyoulikedmybook。"-

ThiswasadirectappealthatTheInfantcouldunderstand，andhebeganratherflurriedly，withmuchslangbredofnervousness-

"Pullmeup，sir，ifIsayanythingyoudon’tfollow。AboutsixmonthsbeforeItookmyleaveoutofBurma，IwasontheHlinedatalone，upneartheShanStates，withsixtyTommies-

privatesoldiers，thatis-andanothersubaltern，ayearseniortome。TheBurmesebusinesswasasubaltern’swar，andourforcesweresplitupintolittledetachments，allrunningaboutthecountryandtryingtokeepthedacoitsquiet。Thedacoitswerehavingafirst-classtime，y’know-fillingwomenupwithkeroseneandsetting’emalight，andburningvillages，andcrucifyingpeople。"

ThewonderinEustaceCleever’seyesdeepened。Hecouldnotquiterealisethatthecrossstillexistedinanyform。

"Haveyoueverseenacrucifixion？"saidhe。

"Ofcoursenot。’Shouldn’thavealloweditifIhad；butI’veseenthecorpses。Thedacoitshadatrickofsendingacrucifiedcorpsedowntheriveronaraft，justtoshowtheywerekeepingtheirtailupandenjoyingthemselves。Well，thatwasthekindofpeopleIhadtodealwith。"

"Alone？"saidCleever。Solitudeofthesoulhecouldunderstand-

nonebetter-buthehadneverinthebodymovedtenmilesfromhisfellows。

"Ihadmymen，buttherestofitwasprettymuchalone。Thenearestpostthatcouldgivemeorderswasfifteenmilesaway，andweusedtoheliographtothem，andtheyusedtogiveusorderssameway-toomanyorders。"

"WhowasyourC。0。？"saidBoileau。

"Bounderby-Major。PukkaBounderby；moreBounderthanpukka。HewentoutupBhamoway。Shot，orcutdown，lastyear，"saidTheInfant。

"Whataretheseinterludesinastrangetongue？"saidCleevertome。

"Professionalinformation-liketheMississippipilots’talk，"

saidI。"Hedidnotapproveofhismajor，whodiedaviolentdeath。Goon，Infant。"

"Fartoomanyorders。Youcouldn’ttaketheTommiesoutforatwodays’daur-that’sexpedition-withoutbeingblownupfornotaskingleave。Andthewholecountrywashummingwithdacoits。I

usedtosendoutspies，andactontheirinformation。Assoonasamancameinandtoldmeofaganginhiding，I’dtakethirtymenwithsomegrub，andgooutandlookforthem，whiletheothersubalternlaydoggoincamp。"

"Lay！Pardonme，buthowdidhelie？"saidCleever。

"Laydoggo-layquiet，withtheotherthirtymen。WhenIcameback，he’dtakeouthishalfofthemen，andhaveagoodtimeofhisown。"

"Whowashe？"saidBoileau。

"Carter-Deecey，oftheAurungabadis。Goodchap，buttoozubberdusty，andwentbokharfourdaysoutofseven。He’sgoneouttoo。Don’tinterruptaman。"

Cleeverlookedhelplesslyatme。

"Theothersubaltern，"Itranslatedswiftly，"camefromanativeregiment，andwasoverbearinginhisdemeanour。Hesufferedmuchfromthefeverofthecountry，andisnowdead。Goon，Infant。"

"Afterabit，wegotintotroubleforusingthemenonfrivolousoccasions，andsoIusedtoputmysignallerunderarresttopreventhimreadingthehelio-orders。ThenI’dgooutandleaveamessagetobesentanhourafterIgotclearofthecamp，somethinglikethis：’Receivedimportantinformation；startinanhour，unlesscountermanded。’IfIwasorderedback，itdidn’tmuchmatter。IsworetheC。0。’swatchwaswrong，orsomething，whenI

cameback。TheTommiesenjoyedthefun，and-Oh，yes，therewasoneTommywhowasthebardofthedetachment。Heusedtomakeupversesoneverythingthathappened。"

"Whatsortofverses？"saidCleever。

"Lovelyverses；andtheTommiesusedtosing’em。Therewasonesongwithachorus，anditsaidsomethinglikethis。"TheInfantdroppedintothetruebarrack-roomtwang：

"Theebaw，theBurmaking，didaveryfoolishthing，When’emustered’ostileforcesinar-rai，’Elittlethoughtthatwe，fromfaracrossthesea，WouldsendourarmiesuptoMandalai！"

"0gorgeous！"saidCleever。"Andhowmagnificentlydirect！Thenotionofaregimentalbardisnewtome，butofcourseitmustbeso。"

"Hewasawflypopularwiththemen，"saidTheInfant。"Hehadthemalldowninrhymeassoonasevertheyhaddoneanything。Hewasagreatbard。HewasalwaysreadywithanelegywhenwepickedupaBoh-that’saleaderofdacoits。"

"Howdidyoupickhimup？"saidCleever。

"Oh！shothimifhewouldn’tsurrender。"

"You！Haveyoushotaman？"

Therewasasubduedchucklefromallthreeboys，anditdawnedonthequestionerthatoneexperienceinlifewhichwasdeniedtohimself，andheweighedthesoulsofmeninabalance，hadbeensharedbythreeveryyounggentlemenofengagingappearance。HeturnedroundonNevin，whohadclimbedtothetopofthebookcaseandwassittingcross-leggedasbefore。

"Andhaveyou，too？"

"Thinkso，"saidNevin，sweetly。"IntheBlackMountain。Hewasrollingcliffsontomyhalf-company，andspoilingourformation。

Itookariflefromaman，andbroughthimdownatthesecondshot。"

"GoodHeavens！Andhowdidyoufeelafterwards？"

"Thirsty。Iwantedasmoke，too。"

CleeverlookedatBoileau-theyoungest。Surelyhishandswereguiltlessofblood。

Boileaushookhisheadandlaughed。"Goon，Infant，"saidhe。

"Andyoutoo？"saidCleever。

"Fancyso。Itwasacaseofcut，cutorbecut，withme；soIcut-one。Icouldn’tdoanymore，sir。"

Cleeverlookedasthoughhewouldliketoaskmanyquestions，butTheInfantsweptoninthefulltideofhistale。

"Well，wewerecalledinsubordinateyoungwhelpsatlast，andstrictlyforbiddentotaketheTommiesoutanymorewithoutorders。Iwasn’tsorry，becauseTommyissuchanexactingsortofcreature。Hewantstoliveasthoughhewereinbarracksallthetime。Iwasgrubbingonfowlsandboiledcorn，buttheTommieswantedtheirpoundoffreshmeat，andtheirhalfounceofthis，andtheirtwoouncesoft’otherthing，andtheyusedtocometomeandbadgermeforplugtobaccowhenwewerefourdaysinjungle。I

said：’IcangetyouBurmatobacco，butIdon’tkeepacanteenupmysleeve。’Theycouldn’tseeit。Theywantedalltheluxuriesoftheseason，confound’em！"

"Youwerealonewhenyouweredealingwiththesemen？"saidCleever，watchingTheInfant’sfaceunderthepalmofhishand。Hewasreceivingnewideas，andtheyseemedtotroublehim。

"Ofcourse，unlessyoucountthemosquitoes。Theywerenearlyasbigasthemen。AfterIhadtoliedoggoIbegantolookforsomethingtodo，andIwasgreatpalswithamancalledHickseyinthePolice，thebestmanthateversteppedonearth；afirst-classman。"

Cleevernoddedapplause。Heknewhowtoappreciateenthusiasm。

"HickseyandIwereasthickasthieves。HehadsomeBurmamountedpolice-rummychaps，armedwithswordandSnidercarbine。TheyrodepunchyBurmaponies，withstringstirrups，redclothsaddles，andredbell-ropeheadstalls。HickseyusedtolendmesixoreightofthemwhenIaskedhim-nippylittledevils，keenasmustard。

Buttheytoldtheirwivestoomuch，andallmyplansgotknown，tillIlearnedtogivefalsemarchingordersovernight，andtakethementoquiteadifferentvillageinthemorning。Thenweusedtocatchthesimpledakubeforebreakfast，andmadehimverysick。

It’saghastlycountryontheHlinedatalone；allbamboojungle，withpathsaboutfourfeetwidewindingthroughit。Thedakuknewallthepaths，andpottedatusaswecameroundacorner；butthemountedpoliceknewthepathsaswellasthedaku，andweusedtogostalking’eminandout。Onceweflushed’em，themenontheponieshadtheadvantageofthemenonfoot。Weheldallthecountryabsolutelyquietfortenmilesround，inaboutamonth。

ThenwetookBohNa-ghee，HickseyandIandthecivilofficer。

Thatwasalark！"

"IthinkIambeginningtounderstandalittle，"saidCleever。"Itwasapleasuretoyoutoadministerandfight？"

"Rather！There’snothingnicerthanasatisfactorylittleexpedition，whenyoufindyourplansfittogether，andyourinformation’steek-correct，youknow，andthewholesub-chiz-I

mean，wheneverythingworksoutlikeformulaeonablackboard。

HickseyhadalltheinformationabouttheBoh。Hehadbeenburningvillagesandmurderingpeoplerightandleft，andcuttingupGovernmentconvoys，andallthat。Hewaslyingdoggoinavillageaboutfifteenmilesoff，waitingtogetafreshgangtogether。Sowearrangedtotakethirtymountedpolice，andturnhimoutbeforehecouldplunderintoournewly-settledvillages。Atthelastminute，thecivilofficerinourpartoftheworldthoughthe’dassistattheperformance。"

"Whowashe？"saidNevin。

"HisnamewasDennis，"saidTheInfantslowly。"Andwe’llletitstayso。He’sabettermannowthanhewasthen。"

"Buthowoldwasthecivilpower？"saidCleever。"Thesituationisdevelopingitself。"

"Hewasaboutsix-and-twenty，andhewasawf’lyclever。Heknewalotofthings，butIdon’tthinkhewasquitesteadyenoughfordacoit-hunting。WestartedovernightforBohNa-ghee’svillage，andwegottherejustbeforemorning，withoutraisinganalarm。

Dennishadturnedoutarmedtohisteeth-tworevolvers，acarbine，andallsortsofthings。IwastalkingtoHickseyaboutpostingthemen，andDennisedgedhisponyinbetweenus，andsaid，’WhatshallIdo？WhatshallIdo？Tellmewhattodo，youfellows。’Wedidn’ttakemuchnotice；buthisponytriedtobitemeintheleg，andIsaid，’Pulloutabit，oldman，tillwe’vesettledtheattack。’Hekeptedgingin，andfiddlingwithhisreinsandhisrevolvers，andsaying，’Dearme！Dearme！Oh，dearme！WhatdoyouthinkI’dbetterdo？’Themanwasinadeadlyfunk，andhisteethwerechattering。"

"Isympathisewiththecivilpower，"saidCleever。"Continue，youngClive。"

"Thefunofitwas，thathewassupposedtobeoursuperiorofficer。Hickseytookagoodlookathim，andtoldhimtoattachhimselftomyparty。BeastlymeanofHicksey，that。Thechapkeptonedginginandbothering，insteadofaskingforsomemenandtakinguphisownposition，tillIgotangry，andthecarbinesbeganpoppingontheothersideofthevillage。ThenIsaid，’ForGod’ssakebequiet，andsitdownwhereyouare！Ifyouseeanybodycomeoutofthevillage，shootathim。’Iknewhecouldn’thitahayrickatayard。ThenItookmymenoverthegardenwall-

overthepalisades，y’know-somehoworother，andthefunbegan。

HickseyhadfoundtheBohinbedunderamosquito-curtain，andhehadtakenaflyingjumpontohim。"

"Aflyingjump！"saidCleever。"Isthatalsowar？"

"Yes，"saidTheInfant，nowthoroughlywarmed。"Don’tyouknowhowyoutakeaflyingjumpontoafellow’sheadatschool，whenhesnoresinthedormitory？TheBohwassleepinginabedfulofswordsandpistols，andHickseycamedownlikeZazelthroughthenetting，andthenetgotmixedupwiththepistolsandtheBohandHicksey，andtheyallrolledonthefloortogether。IlaughedtillIcouldn’tstand，andHickseywascursingmefornothelpinghim；

soIlefthimtofightitoutandwentintothevillage。Ourmenwereslashingaboutandfiring，andsowerethedacoits，andinthethickofthemesssomeasssetfiretoahouse，andweallhadtoclearout。Ifrozeontothenearestdakuandrantothepalisade，shovinghiminfrontofme。Hewriggledlooseandboundedovertheotherside。Icameafterhim；butwhenIhadonelegonesideandonelegtheotherofthepalisade，IsawthatthedakuhadfallenflatonDennis’shead。ThatmanhadnevermovedfromwhereIlefthim。Theyrolledonthegroundtogether，andDennis’scarbinewentoffandnearlyshotme。Thedakupickedhimselfupandran，andDennisbuzzedhiscarbineafterhim，anditcaughthimonthebackofhisheadandknockedhimsilly。Youneversawanythingsofunnyinyourlife。Idoubleduponthetopofthepalisadeandhungthere，yellingwithlaughter。ButDennisbegantoweeplikeanything。’Oh，I’vekilledaman，’hesaid。

’I’vekilledaman，andIshallneverknowanotherpeacefulhourinmylife。Ishedead？Oh，ishedead？GoodLord，I’vekilledaman！’Icamedownandsaid，’Don’tbeafool；’buthekeptonshouting，’Ishedead？’tillIcouldhavekickedhim。Thedakuwasonlyknockedoutoftimewiththecarbine。Hecametoafterabit，andIsaid，’Areyouhurtmuch？’Hegroanedandsaid，’No。’Hischestwasallcutwithscramblingoverthepalisade。’Thewhiteman’sgundidn’tdothat，’hesaid；’Ididthat，andIknockedthewhitemanover。’JustlikeaBurman，wasn’tit？ButDenniswouldn’tbehappyatanyprice。Hesaid：

’Tieuphiswounds。He’llbleedtodeath。Oh，he’llbleedtodeath！’’Tie’emupyourself，’Isaid，’ifyou’resoanxious。’’I

can’ttouchhim，’saidDennis，’buthere’smyshirt。’Hetookoffhisshirt，andfixedthebracesagainoverhisbareshoulders。I

rippedtheshirtup，andbandagedthedacoitquiteprofessionally。

HewasgrinningatDennisallthetime；andDennis’shaversackwaslyingontheground，burstingfullofsandwiches。Greedyhog！I

tooksome，andofferedsometoDennis。’HowcanIeat？’hesaid。

’Howcanyouaskmetoeat？Hisverybloodisonyourhandsnow，andyou’reeatingmysandwiches！’’Allright，’Isaid；’I’llgive’emtothedaku。’SoIdid，andthelittlechapwasquitepleased，andwolfed’emdownlikeoneo’clock。"

Cleeverbroughthishanddownonthetablewithathumpthatmadetheemptyglassesdance。"That’sArt！"hesaid。"Flat，flagrantmechanism！Don’ttellmethathappenedonthespot！"

ThepupilsofTheInfant’seyescontractedtotwopin-points。"I

begyourpardon，"hesaidslowlyandstiffly，"butIamtellingthisthingasithappened。"

Cleeverlookedathimamoment。"Myfaultentirely，"saidhe；"I

shouldhaveknown。Pleasegoon。"

"Hickseycameoutofwhatwasleftofthevillagewithhisprisonersandcaptives，allneatlytiedup。BohNa-gheewasfirst，andoneofthevillagers，assoonashefoundtheoldruffianhelpless，begankickinghimquietly。TheBohstooditaslongashecould，andthengroaned，andwesawwhatwasgoingon。Hickseytiedthevillagerupandgavehimahalfadozen，good，withabamboo，toremindhimtoleaveaprisoneralone。YoushouldhaveseentheoldBohgrin。Oh！butHickseywasinafuriousragewitheverybody。He’dgotawipeovertheelbowthathadtickleduphisfunny-bone，andhewasrabidwithmefornothavinghelpedhimwiththeBohandthemosquito-net。IhadtoexplainthatI

couldn’tdoanything。Ifyou’dseen’embothtangleduptogetheronthefloorinonekickingcocoon，you’dhavelaughedforaweek。

HickseysworethattheonlydecentmanofhisacquaintancewastheBoh，andallthewaytocampHickseywastalkingtotheBoh，andtheBohwascomplainingaboutthesorenessofhisbones。Whenwegotback，andhadhadabath，theBohwantedtoknowwhenhewasgoingtobehanged。Hickseysaidhecouldn’tobligehimonthespot，buthadtosendhimtoRangoon。TheBohwentdownonhisknees，andreeledoffacatalogueofhiscrimes-heoughttohavebeenhangedseventeentimesover，byhisownconfession-andimploredHickseytosettlethebusinessoutofhand。’IfI’msenttoRangoon，’saidhe，’they’llkeepmeinjailallmylife，andthatisadeatheverytimethesungetsuporthewindblows。’ButwehadtosendhimtoRangoon，and，ofcourse，hewasletoffdownthere，andgivenpenalservitudeforlife。WhenIcametoRangoonIwentoverthejail-Ihadhelpedtofillit，y’know-andtheoldBohwasthere，andhespottedmeatonce。Hebeggedforsomeopiumfirst，andItriedtogethimsome，butthatwasagainsttherules。ThenheaskedmetohavehisSentencechangedtodeath，becausehewasafraidofbeingsenttotheAndamans。Icouldn’tdothateither，butItriedtocheerhim，andtoldhimhowthingsweregoingup-country，andthelastthinghesaidwas-’Givemycomplimentstothefatwhitemanwhojumpedonme。IfI’dbeenawakeI’dhavekilledhim。’IwrotethattoHickseynextmail，and-andthat’sall。I’m’fraidI’vebeengassingawf’ly，sir。"

Cleeversaidnothingforalongtime。TheInfantlookeduncomfortable。Hefearedthat，misledbyenthusiasm，hehadfilledupthenovelist’stimewithunprofitablerecitaloftrivialanecdotes。

ThensaidCleever，"Ican’tunderstand。Whyshouldyouhaveseenanddoneallthesethingsbeforeyouhavecutyourwisdom-teeth？"

"Don’tknow，"saidTheInfantapologetically。"Ihaven’tseenmuch-onlyBurmesejungle。"

"Anddeadmen，andwar，andpower，andresponsibility，"saidCleever，underhisbreath。"Youwon’thaveanysensationsleftatthirty，ifyougoonasyouhavedone。ButIwanttohearmoretales-moretales！"Heseemedtoforgetthatevensubalternsmighthaveengagementsoftheirown。

"We’rethinkingofdiningoutsomewhere-thelotofus-andgoingontotheEmpireafterwards，"saidNevin，withhesitation。

HedidnotliketoaskCleevertocometoo。Theinvitationmightberegardedasperilouslynearto"cheek。"

AndCleever，anxiousnottowagagraybeardunbiddenamongboysatlarge，saidnothingonhisside。

Boileausolvedthelittledifficultybyblurtingout："Won’tyoucometoo，sir？"

Cleeveralmostshouted"Yes，"andwhilehewasbeinghelpedintohiscoatcontinuedtomurmur"GoodHeavens！"atintervalsinawaythattheboyscouldnotunderstand。

"Idon’tthinkI’vebeentotheEmpireinmylife，"saidhe；"but-whatismylifeafterall？Letusgo。"

TheywentoutwithEustaceCleever，andIsulkedathomebecausetheyhadcometoseeme，buthadgoneovertothebetterman；

whichwashumiliating。Theypackedhimintoacabwithutmostreverence，forwashenottheauthorof"AsitwasintheBeginning，"andapersoninwhosecompanyitwasanhonourtogoabroad？FromallIgatheredlater，hehadtakenlessinterestintheperformancebeforehimthanintheirconversations，andtheyprotestedwithemphasisthathewas"asgoodamanastheymake；

knewwhatamanwasdrivingatalmostbeforehesaidit；andyethe’ssodamnedsimpleaboutthingsanymanknows。"Thatwasoneofmanycomments。

Atmidnighttheyreturned，announcingthattheywere"highlyrespectablegondoliers，"andthatoystersandstoutwerewhattheychieflyneeded。Theeminentnovelistwasstillwiththem，andI

thinkhewascallingthembytheirshorternames。Iamcertainthathesaidhehadbeenmovinginworldsnotrealised，andthattheyhadshownhimtheEmpireinanewlight。

Stillsoreatrecentneglect，Iansweredshortly，"ThankHeavenwehavewithinthelandtenthousandasgoodasthey，"andwhenhedeparted，askedhimwhathethoughtofthingsgenerally。

Herepliedwithanotherquotation，totheeffectthatthoughsingingwasaremarkablyfineperformance，Iwastobequitesurethatfewlipswouldbemovedtosongiftheycouldfindasufficiencyofkissing。

WherebyIunderstoodthatEustaceCleever，decoratorandcolourmaninwords，wasblaspheminghisownArt，andwouldbesorryforthisinthemorning。