But I altered my opinion directly, for he held out his hand.
“I say, Gil, old chap,” he said, “I’m sorry we fell out, and I’m jolly glad the old boy came and stopped us. Pretty pair of fools we should have looked by this time, with black eyes and swollen noses.—I was wrong. Shake hands.”
A few moments before I could have struck him; but now I was so utterly overset by his frank manner, that it was not my nose which swelled up, but my throat, so that I could hardly speak as I caught hold of his hand and held it with all my force.
“No,” I said huskily, “it wasn’t your fault. Mine. I’ve got such a beastly temper.”
“Tchah! not you. Come on down; it’s all right now.”
“Not quite,” I said grimly. “I’ve got to face the gov., and have another dose. Has he given you yours?”
“No! ’Tisn’t that Post’s in, and he has had despatches or something. He had a great sealed paper in his hand when he told me to fetch you.”
“What?” I cried excitedly. “’Tisn’t—?”
“I’m not sure, but I think it is,” he said. “Come on.”
I felt as if all my breath had been taken away. The blood flushed right up to my temples; there was a singing in my ears, and my hands grew moist in their palms with excitement; but I could not speak as we hurried down.