"Spoken like a man," said I, slapping the hound on the back.

Tim had lighted a candle. Now he blew out the lamp and stood over me
in the half-light, holding out a hand.

"Come," he said. "That's right, put your hand on my shoulder, for the
stairs are steep and will trouble you. That's the way. Come along,
Captain; to-night we'll all go up together. And when she comes--that
woman--we'll go to your house--all three of us--the same as now--eh,
Captain?"




IV

"I love soldiers--just love 'em," she said.

"The sentiment is an old one with women," said I. "Were it not so,
there would be no soldiers."

"And for that reason you went to war?" she said.

"In part, yes," I answered.

"How I should like to see the woman!" she cried. "How proud she must
be of you!"

"Of me?" I laughed. "The woman? Why, she doesn't exist."