'So we thought we had better take advice: it seemed rather a lark, too,
don't you know? The fact is--you appear to have divined it somehow--we
find that we are all engaged to the same lady. We can't fight, and we
can't all marry her.'

'In Thibet it might be practicable: martyrdom might also be secured
there,' said Merton.

'Martyrdom is not good enough,' said Clancy.

'Not half,' said Bathe.

'A man has his duties in his own country,' said Brooke.

'May I ask whether in fact your sorrows at this discovery have been
intense?' asked Merton.

'I was a good deal cut up at first,' said Clancy, 'I being the latest
recruit. Bathe had practically given up hope, and had seen some one
else.' Mr. Bathe drooped his head, and blushed. 'Brooke laughed. Indeed
we _all_ laughed, though we felt rather foolish. But what are we to do?
Should we write her a Round Robin? Bathe says he ought to be the man,
because he was first man in, and I say _I_ ought to be the man, because I
am not out.'

'I would not build much on _that_,' said Merton, and he was sure that he
heard a rustle behind the screen, and a slight struggle. Julia was
trying to emerge, restrained by Miss Crofton.