“Not so do I,” said Gideon. “The general petrifies me and I was in sore need of you all. Truly, I thank you for standing by me today.”
“I should think so,” said Falcon.
“If you thought, you wouldn’t,” grunted Morris.
Falcon groaned. “Another profundity? Lord save us all, I wonder what this one may mean! And speaking of saving us,doyou mean to flee the country, Glendenning?”
“I do not,” declared Lord Horatio. “But Iamresolved to henceforth associate only with people who are above reproach and will not further endanger my—ah, reputation.”
“Very wise,” said Gideon. “And I’ve to thank you, Tio, for allowing my sister to stay with you these past few days.”
Glendenning bowed. “Miss Gwendolyn is always a delight.”
“And the antithesis,” drawled Falcon, “of your new resolution.”
Gideon stiffened. “I think you must explain that, sir. Do you say my sister isnotabove reproach?”
“Were shemysister she would be reproached, I promise you,” said Falcon, impervious to the steely glint in Gideon’s eyes. “I’ll remind you that she came to call on me, ostensibly to beseech me not to run you through. I put it to you that a single lady does not in propriety call upon a bachelor, and that I did not invite her! Not content with this breach of etiquette, in presenting what should have been a humble request, she contrived to knock me down, break my grandmama’s vase, and ruin my dog! And to add insult to injury,” he went on, warming to his theme, “she danced on my best Colichemarde and bent the damn foible!”
Weak with laughter, Morris collapsed onto Glendenning’s shoulder.
Rossiter made a great effort to keep his mouth stern and said he would at once go home and beat Gwendolyn within an inch of her life.
“I will lend you my spiked cudgel,” offered Glendenning, greatly amused.
“No, but seriously,” said Gideon, “I do apologize, Falcon. We have treated you shabbily from start to finish. I shall certainly replace your vase, and—” He paused, knitting his brows. “Ruined your dog, you say? How the deuce did she manage that?”
“She threw her cane for the brute,” said Falcon gloomily. “He used to be a fair watchdog. Now he offers a stick to everyone who calls. I vow an army of stick-wielding burglars could invade my home in perfect safety since she reformed him! And if you do not cease howling, Lieutenant Block…!”
Glendenning intervened, “Well, you have done your possible, Ross. Restored your father’s good name, and won the thanks and praise of the King’s General. What d’you mean to do now?”
Gideon took a deep breath. “Now, by heaven, I am going to get on with my own life!”
“Speaking of getting on with things,” drawled Falcon. “Morris owes me a duel.”
Morris wiped tears from his eyes. “So I do, by Jove! Will you second me, Ross?”
“After my honeymoon,” said Gideon.
“But that is so… inchoate, my dear fellow,” complained Morris.
***
Inside the quiet office, General Underhill stood at the window, and watched the merry group out of sight. He said quietly, “Well, Stephen? What do you make of it?”
The major pursed his lips. “A terrible thing, sir.”
“Terrible, indeed.” Underhill turned back into the room, and sighed. “A fine young officer like that. Splendid background, and a magnificent battle record. What a pity.”
His aide asked, “What do you suppose caused it, sir? A mental collapse as a result of his wounds?”
“Something of the sort.”
“You—er, do not think he should be—er—”
“Placed under restraint? No. And God help me do I err!”
“I wonder why the others support him?”
