'
So soon as I had paid him (for everything, I found, must be paid in
advance), I turned my attention to the fire, and whether because I
threw greater energy into the business, or because the coals were
now warmed and the time ripe, I soon started a blaze that made the
chimney roar again. The shine of it, in that dark, rainy day,
seemed to reanimate the Colonel like a blink of sun. With the
outburst of the flames, besides, a draught was established, which
immediately delivered us from the plague of smoke; and by the time
Fenn returned, carrying a bottle under his arm and a single tumbler
in his hand, there was already an air of gaiety in the room that
did the heart good.
I poured out some of the brandy.
'Colonel,' said I, 'I am a young man and a private soldier. I have
not been long in this room, and already I have shown the petulance
that belongs to the one character and the ill manners that you may
look for in the other. Have the humanity to pass these slips over,
and honour me so far as to accept this glass.'
'My lad,' says he, waking up and blinking at me with an air of
suspicion, 'are you sure you can afford it?'
I assured him I could.
'I thank you, then: I am very cold.' He took the glass out, and a
little colour came in his face. 'I thank you again,' said he.
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