“Humph! that’s unfortunate. Mr Drummond would like to see, perhaps, how we arrange for our men who are down?”
“Most happy, Doctor—”
“Hah!”
“But I am going with my friends here.”
“Standing on ceremony—eh, gentlemen?” said the Doctor, smiling quickly and taking a pinch of snuff. “Well, we’ll wait a bit. I dare say you will neither of you be so much occupied when you are once brought in to me. I thought perhaps you would like to go over the place first.”
Bracy turned and took hold of the Doctor’s arm.
“All right, Doctor,” he said, laughing. “You had us there on the hip. I’ll come.”
“What, and keep the Colonel waiting?”
“We can go there afterwards,” said Bracy quietly. “Come, Roberts, you can’t hold back now.”
“Not going to, old fellow. There, Doctor, I beg your pardon. I’ll come.”