I suppose Young Aleck will be in quarters
here on Christmas Day, Miss Mab?"
"I think so," and she blushed.
"Did he say he would be here?"
"Yes."
"Exactly."
He looked toward the coffee. Then: "Thank you.....Good-bye."
"Sergeant?"
"Miss Humphrey!"
"Will you not come to us on Christmas Day?"
His eyelids closed swiftly and opened again. "I shall be on duty."
"And promoted?"
"Perhaps."
"And merry and happy?"--she smiled to herself to think of Sergeant Fones
being merry and happy.
"Exactly."
The word suited him.
He paused a moment with his fingers on the latch, and turned round as if
to speak; pulled off his gauntlet, and then as quickly put it on again.
Had he meant to offer his hand in good-bye? He had never been seen to
take the hand of anyone except with the might of the law visible in
steel.
He opened the door with the right hand, but turned round as he stepped
out, so that the left held it while he faced the warmth of the room and
the face of the girl. The door closed.
Mounted, and having said good-bye to Mr. Humphrey, he turned towards the
house, raised his cap with soldierly brusqueness, and rode away in the
direction of the barracks.
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