We're all friends 'ere. Do you get out much?"
"I always take an afternoon stroll," said Mr. Lavender, "when my public
life permits. If you think your comrades would like me to come and
lecture to them on their future I should be only too happy."
"D'you 'ear, Alf?" said the soldier. "D'you think they would?"
The soldier, addressed put a finger to the sound side of his mouth and
uttered a catcall.
"I might effect a radical change in their views," continued Mr.
Lavender, a little puzzled. "Let me leave you this periodical. Read it,
and you will see how extremely vital all that I have been saying is. And
then, perhaps, if you would send me a round robin, such as is usual in
a democratic country, I could pop over almost any day after five. I
sometimes feel"--and here Mr. Lavender stopped in the middle of the
road, overcome by sudden emotion--"that I have really no right to be
alive when I see what you have suffered for me."
"That's all right, old bean,", said the soldier on his left; "you'd 'a
done the same for us but for your disabilities. We don't grudge it you."
"Boys," said Mr. Lavender, "you are men. I cannot tell you how much I
admire and love you."
"Well, give it a rest, then; t'ain't good for yer.
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