"Sent for—Oh, imagine him! Besides, General Halliday, Jeff-Jack knew my offer was to myself; not to him at all, sir! But he saw another thing—about me—as plainly as I did; yes, plainer!"
"I could do that myself, John. What was it—this time?"
"He saw my sober second thought had come!"
"H—, I wish I had his eyes! Did he say so? Wha'd he say?"
"He said what wasn't true."
The old warrior smiled satirically. "What was it?"
"'Ever mind what it was! I'm talked out."
"My dear fellow, so am I! John, honestly, I thank you for the—pardon me—the unusual patience with which you've taken my hard words." The speaker gripped his hearer's knee. "And you really think you've finished your first great campaign of mistakes—eh?"
"Yes!" They rose, laughing. "Yes, and I've every reason to hope it's my last." The General proposed drinks, but John hadn't time, and they only swapped cigars.
"I hear you leave us again this evening," said the General.