And in one corner was a pile of painted india-rubber cannon-balls. And there was a huge fire roaring, though it was summer. And before the fire stood the General, with his hands behind him, sucking something and warming himself.
Then Tiny shut the door, and began,
"I am Tiny; and I am going to marry Baby. How long will I stop in this hole, because about taking a house to put Baby in?"
So the General bent towards his boots; and his head shone; and his boots shone; and he bulged over the fire; and he said,
"I am Sir Goodall Grouse, and a Major-General. I had ought to be a full General if I had me rights—only they cheat so."
Then he bowed himself straight; and he was very red and tight; and he shot his neck till the veins swelled, and he shouted,
"And I don't care who knows it."
So Tiny, who knew Generals, pretended sad, and shook his head, and answered,
"When we go out to war, Sir, we always say that if only Sir Goodall came and did it, it wouldn't be a war at all, to call one, it would be a walk-over."
And when the General heard that, he sat down and said,