And--perhaps he knew what was in her mind--Monck was silent also after
that single earnest appeal of his. He held her hand for a few seconds,
and then very quietly let it go. She knew by his action that he would
respect her wish for the time at least and say no more.




CHAPTER VIII

THE TRUCE


Tommy was in a bad temper with everyone--a most unusual state of
affairs. The weather was improving every day; the rains were nearly
over. He was practically well again, too well to be sent to Bhulwana on
sick leave, as Ralston brutally told him; but it was not this fact that
had upset his internal equilibrium. He did not want sick leave, and
bluntly said so.

"Then what the devil do you want?" said Ralston, equally blunt and ready
to resent irritation from one who in his opinion was too highly favoured
of the gods to have any reasonable grounds for complaint.

Tommy growled an inarticulate reply. It was not his intention to confide
in Ralston whatever his grievance. But Ralston, not to be frustrated,
carried the matter to Monck, then on the high road to recovery.

"What in thunder is the matter with the young ass?" he demanded. "He