"Doctor," said Colonel Parker, "help Messiou Aurelle to some champagne; his mind is far too clear."
Corks began to pop with the rapidity of machine guns. Colonel Parker began a speech about the charming, kind and affectionate disposition of the women of Burma; the doctor preferred Japanese women for technical reasons.
"French women are also very beautiful," said General Bramble politely; for he could not forget this was Aurelle's farewell dinner.
When the orderlies had brought the
port, he struck the table twice sharply with the handle of his knife, and said, with a pleasant mixture of solemnity and geniality:
"Now, gentlemen, as our friend is leaving us after having so excellently represented his country amongst us for the last four years, I propose that we drink his health with musical honours."
All the officers stood up, glass in hand. Aurelle was about to follow their example, when Colonel Parker crushed him with a whispered, "Assee, Messiou, poor l'amoor de Dee-er!" And the Staff of the Scottish Division proceeded to sing with the utmost solemnity, keeping their eyes fixed upon the young Frenchman:
"For he's a jolly good fellow,
And so say all of us...."
Aurelle was deeply moved as he gazed at the friendly faces round him, and reflected sadly that he was about to leave for ever the little world in which
he had been so happy. General Bramble was standing gravely at attention, and singing as solemnly as if he were in his pew in church: