"From school?"
"Aldershot."
"Are you in the service?"
"Eh!"
"If you are, haven't you any rank at your age?" asked Mavis.
"How do you know I'm not a Tommy?" he asked.
"That's what I thought you were," she retorted.
Mavis and Mrs Hamilton faced each other at table; Williams sat on her right, Ellis on her left. The conversation at the dinner-table was, almost exclusively, between the soldier and Mavis. Ellis scarcely spoke to his hostess, and then only when compelled.
"What will you drink?" asked Mrs Hamilton of Mavis.
"Water, please."