"In body, sahib, wherein I rejoice; but very sick in mind."
"Tell me all about it; slowly, don't distress yourself. Here, let me strip off your coat, gently, and see what's wrong. Wait a little, though; I must fetch Lawrence Sahib."
Loth as he was to disturb his brother's rest, he felt instinctively that the news brought by Ganda Singh was to affect their destinies vitally.
"Wake up, old chap," he said to Lawrence, prodding him. "Slip on your dressing-gown and come into the dining-room."
"Are they attacking?" asked Lawrence sleepily.
"No. Major Endicott has sent Ganda Singh with a message, telling us to clear out. I'm afraid things are looking very serious. Come on!"
Lawrence waited only to plunge his head into a basin of cold water, then followed his brother into the dining-room.
"Salaam, sahib," said Ganda Singh with a smile of friendliness. Like everybody else he had a warm feeling towards the chota sahib.
"Now, dafadar, tell us all about it; take your time."
He bathed and bound up the wounded arm while Ganda Singh talked.