“I should be extremely uncomfortable in any office. Besides, I have my doubts as to the value of intelligence in England. It is so very rare and so un-English. One suspects occasional un-English qualities drawn together for government purposes.
“I merely mentioned these interesting national traits because I had an idea, partly that you would respond to them, and partly that they are going in an exceedingly short time to become manifest to the world at large.”
“You think we are going to have war?” asked Winn, his eyes sparkling. “War!” He said the word as if he loved it.
Dr. Gurnet shrugged his shoulders and sighed, and spread out his rather fat little hands.
“Yes, Major Staines,” he said dryly, “I quite think we are going to have war.”
“Then I must get back to my regiment as quickly as possible,” said Winn, getting up.
“I shouldn’t do that if I were you,” said Dr. Gurnet. “I should advise your remaining in England for three months, I think you will be used quicker if you do that. War is unlikely to begin in India, and the climate is deleterious in the summer months. And might I suggest the carrying out of a few minor precautions? If you are to live efficiently for two years, it will be highly necessary for you to carry them out.”
Winn turned toward him eagerly.
“I’ll do any bally thing you tell me to now,” he said quickly.
Dr. Gurnet laughed, then he said: