“I will do so.”
As Thomas was carrying it into the house, we met several officers, who inquired whence it came. I went and showed it to Colonel Steele, begging that he would be kind enough to offer it to Lord Raglan, with my respects. While I was in Colonel Steele’s room, in walked Sir George Brown and his aide-de-camp.
“Bravo,” said the latter, looking at it; “you have indeed improved the ration meat, if this is a specimen.”
“It is,” I replied; “but I am sorry to add that it is both specimen and stock.”
“It is certain,” said the general, “I have seen no such meat since I left England. Where does it come from?”
“Alexandria, general.”
“Oh, that’s a long way to bring it in large quantities.”
“Truly, general; but this is only an out-of-the-way piece. I think we may shortly have plenty, and at a moderate price, and from a nearer place. No time is lost; but, as the proverb says, ‘the world was not created in a day.’”
At this moment Lord Raglan came in, quite by chance. “Hallo, Monsieur Soyer,” said he, “what have you got there?”
“A piece of ration beef, my lord, with a certain addition of fat; and I beg your acceptance of it for to-morrow’s dinner. I have seen Armand about it, and he has promised to do it to a turn.”