"Wyndham seems down on his luck," observed Major Forsyth, Noel's Major, to Daisy, to whom he had just brought tea. "He's no need to be. He played like a dozen devils."
She smiled with that touch of tenderness that all women had for Noel. "I expect he doesn't like being beaten, poor boy."
"He hasn't learned the art of taking it gracefully," said the Major. "But he shouldn't show temper. It's a sign of coltishness that I don't care for."
"Ah, well, he's young," said Daisy, with a sigh. "He'll get over that."
Her thoughts dwelt regretfully upon the young officer as she returned with Peggy. She believed that she understood Noel better than anyone else did just then.
Peggy did not understand him at all, and was deeply hurt by her cavalier's defection. She did think he might have said good-bye to her before he went.
Will, meeting them at the gate of their own compound, laughed down his small daughter's grievance. "Do you really suppose he could remember a midget like you?" he asked, as he tossed her on to his shoulder. "You expect too much of us, my baby."
"You wouldn't have goed away like that, Daddy," she protested, locking her small fingers lovingly under his chin.
"Ah, well, I'm old, you see," said Will. "I've learned how to please—or should I say how not to displease?—you sensitive ladies."
"Did Mummy teach you?" asked Peggy with interest.