human
Bob!
gpt
But it's only a few hours since you brought me in here.
human
A few fiddlesticks! My dear fellow, it's three weeks.
gpt
Bob, have they sent us the siege artillery?
human
No, and they won't. Guns are too precious to move without escort, and British troops are too expensive to cart about in the rains. So here we are, twiddling our thumbs till better times come.
gpt
But what about the country--and Sher Singh?
human
Sher Singh is safe in Agpur. We've got him shut up there, at any rate. But Granthistan is in a blaze, Hal. The Commander-in-Chief is on his way up-country. It's another Granthi War--thanks to their delay.
gpt
And our Granthis?
human
Oh, they marched off bag and baggage to join Sher Singh the other night, when the news came that we were not to be reinforced till the cold weather. I didn't hear of their going till they had nearly reached Agpur, and I wasn't particularly anxious to stop them when I did.
gpt
Better rid of them. You know they fired blank all day--the day of the battle, I mean?
human
That was the trick, was it? I couldn't get it out of you. Not that it would have made much difference if I had known, I suppose. I tell you, Hal, there was a moment when, if only the heavy artillery had come up, we held Sher Singh in the hollow of our hands. He was in such a panic when he got back to Agpur that he actually fired on his own troops when they crowded across the bridge after him. They would have handed him over to us like lambs if we could have threatened the city then. But it's no use crying over spilt milk. I'm going to make use of this interval in hostilities to send you to Ranjitgarh for a bit, old boy. If they won't use the river to send us our big guns, we may use it to recruit our invalids a bit. It can't be as hot at Ranjitgarh as it is here. But I put you on your honour to come back. No one must lead the Habshiabadis into Agpur but you. You will find me relegated to my original obscurity by that time, with a duly appointed Brigadier--a _nya jawan_[2]--riding roughshod over my tenderest feelings, but you can still swagger as the officer accompanying the forces of a friendly state.
gpt
Bob, he whispered,
human
I--I can't go to Ranjitgarh.
gpt
Why not, old boy'?
human
She may be there. They will have fetched the ladies down from the hills if there is trouble.
gpt
I think not. Old Cinnamond has taken the field, but there are plenty of troops in Ranjitgarh. But if she is there, Hal?
human
I might speak--I ain't master of myself, Bob.
gpt
Well, my dear fellow, and why not? Have you forgot what I said--that you were to have the next turn? Speak, by all means, and take her with my blessing, if she'll take you.
human
Bob, I won't have it. I have been making a fool of myself when I didn't know what I was saying, and you are behaving like a brick because you are sorry for me.
gpt
Ton my word, it's nothing of the sort. I can say now what I wouldn't say once, that I had rather see her happy with you than unhappy with me. I'm not going to let you outdo me there, you see, though I may be a little bit late.
human
Good old Bob!
gpt
Not a bit of it. Ain't we chums, old boy? Now remember, _pop_ goes the weasel!
human
My dear, I fear you will think I have been indiscreet.
gpt
Oh, James, I know that means you have done something dreadful, and want me to get you out of the difficulty! she sighed.
human
Well, love, what is it?
gpt
I have sent a _kasid_ to meet poor Gerrard, to tell him he is to come to us, and we will take no refusal. As soon as the man was gone, I remembered that you would probably object to his being thrown into Miss Cinnamond's company.
human
But surely you must see for yourself, love, that it would be most awkward for both of them? I almost think I had better ask Mrs Jardine to take in dear Honour for the time. She would be delighted, I am sure.
gpt
You know best, my dear. If Lady Cinnamond would not mind finding herself under such an obligation to Mrs Jardine, it is not for me to make objections.
human
She would dislike it extremely, love, as you well know. But what else is there to be done?
gpt
I don't myself see why there should be any awkwardness at all, said James Antony sturdily.
human
If Miss Cinnamond is going to marry Gerrard, they had better come to an understanding and get it over, and if not--why, they will have to meet in the future, and they may as well begin now. If the girl chooses to be silly about it, she had better go back to her mother.
gpt
But, James, love, you don't consider. How could I let her go back, knowing that poor dear Mrs Cowper has taken such a dislike to her sister? Now that she has lost her babe, it would be terrible if they met before time had softened her grief a little. And it is not as if dear Honour were in the least to blame. I am sure she was keeping house for her father most beautifully when he was compelled to take the field. We are indebted to the Cinnamonds for so many civilities that it would be hard indeed if we could not help them out of a difficulty by entertaining the poor girl for a while.
human
Quite so, my dear, but it would also be hard if the poor girl could not help us by assisting to entertain a fellow-guest for a while. In fact, I consider that by bringing them to a mutual understanding we should be doing a kindness not only to the young people themselves but to the General and Lady Cinnamond.
gpt
Certainly they have no objection to Lieutenant Gerrard,
human
None whatever, my dear, so that we shall positively be furthering their wishes. Come, Jane; ain't I only wise in bringing my indiscretions to you to set right, since you are such a dab at getting me out of a mess?
gpt
Fie, James, what slang! Indeed I don't wonder you affect to consult me, since it seems to me you will get your own way undisturbed.