human
Thought I'd wait and see how long you could keep it up--brown study as usual! cried Charteris.
gpt
Why, I believe the beggar takes me for a ghost! Hal, old boy! bending from the saddle he bestowed on Gerrard a most unghostly clap on the shoulder.
human
I'm come back to plague you; do you twig--eh?
gpt
Bob! cried Gerrard, shaking hands with him rapturously.
human
My dear old fellow, I never was so glad in my life!
gpt
And I believe the fool really is glad, instead of having been thankful that his hated rival was safely out of the way,
human
Glad is no word for it, said Gerrard.
gpt
Come and tell me all about yourself. I'm in the old place--you'll chum with me as usual, of course?
human
I believe you, my boy! But I must satisfy the natural curiosity of the higher powers first. I suppose it's true, as they told me at the gate, that the Colonel has come down like a wolf on the fold, and sneaked the conduct of affairs out of the hands of our Mr James?
gpt
Yes, he is here. You know he's got his K.C.B.?
human
Wish he had stayed up in the hills with it, then. I don't admire James Antony's taste in jokes, but his heavy hand appeals to me in connection with Sher Singh. Now I am afraid the erring brother will be received with tears of joy and forgiven on the spot and coddled afterwards, and I wanted him kept in suspense for a bit and then put on probation. He has given me some precious unpleasant moments, I can tell you. Well, you go off and prepare fatted calf and any other suitably symbolical prog you may have at hand, and I'll turn up as soon as I can.