“I am glad to hear it. Now, then, what is it?”
“Well, sir, you boast of knowing me thoroughly. Let me tell you that I know you, and your position here.”
“And find it is in every respect a strong one, sir. Well?”
“You live here, close at hand to an enemy who covets your lands, and with whom you have fought again and again. You and your ancestors were always enemies with the Edens.”
“Quite right, sir. Well, what is that to you?”
“This, Sir Morton Darley. The war is over. I and my brave fellows are idle, our swords rusting in their sheaths.”
“More shame to the brave fellows who do not keep their weapons bright. Well, this is a long preamble to tell me that you have all been dismissed from the king’s service. Go on.”
The captain stared and scowled, but he could not fully meet the searching eyes which looked him down.
“Well,” he said, rather blunderingly now, “knowing what I did of my old officer’s state—”
“‘Old officer’ is better, Captain Purlrose. Go on, sir.”