"Hum! Another glass of sherry for this gentleman. We are going to an operation now, you know."
The novice squared his shoulders and made a gallant attempt to look unconcerned.
"Nothing very bad—eh?"
"Well, yes—pretty bad."
"An—an amputation?"
"No, it's a bigger affair than that."
"I think—I think they must be expecting me at home."
"There's no sense in funking. If you don't go to-day you must to-morrow. Better get it over at once. Feel pretty fit?"
"Oh, yes, all right."
The smile was not a success.