"You're very good," Monck said again. He leaned his head on his hand and sat silent.
Major Burton returned with Tommy hovering anxiously behind him. The boy hesitated a little upon entering, but the Colonel called him in.
"You had better see the message too," he said. "Your sister is ill. Captain Monck is going to her."
Tommy read the message with one eye upon Monck, who drank the brandy Burton brought and in a moment stood up.
"I am sorry to have made such a fool of myself, sir," he said to Sir Reginald, with a faint, grim smile. "I shall not forget your kindness, though I hope you will forget my idiocy."
Sir Reginald looked at him closely for a second. His grizzled face was stern. Yet he held out his hand.
"Good-bye, Captain Monck!" was all he said.
Monck stiffened. The smile passed from his face, leaving it inscrutable, granite-like in its composure. It was as the donning of a mask.
"Good-bye, sir!" he said briefly, as he shook hands.
Tommy moved to his side impulsively. He did not utter a word, but as they went out his hand was pushed through Monck's arm in the old confidential fashion, the old eager affection was shining in his eyes.