"Good lord, you don't stop being a human being, because you command a brigade. Why on earth shouldn't I ask him?"
I happened to turn up just then. The telephone line from headquarters to D Company always seemed to want attention, whatever part of the line we were in.
"Hallo," said Blake, "have a drink."
"Well, I am rather thirsty," I said, and I took out a pencil. "Pass the visitors' book and let's get it over."
"No, you don't," said Blake, snatching it away from me, "that's for the
General."
"This way, sir," said a voice above, and down came Billy, followed by the
Brigadier. We jumped up.
"You'll have a drink, sir?" said Billy.
"Oh, thanks very much."
"What will you have, sir?" asked Blake, looking round wildly. "Lime juice or—or lime juice?"
"I'll have lime juice, thank you," said the General after consideration.