"Yes—the Mid-Mudshires; we are simply changing places with them. I am expecting their advance-party at any moment."
"All right. When you have handed over, come along with the Orderly-room staff and join me. Have you much left to do here?"
I glanced round the littered table.
"A fair amount. You are taking Kilbride yourself?"
"Yes. Do you want help?"
"If you could spare me an odd subaltern—"
Eric glanced out of the window, to where the Headquarters Company were parading in the muddy road. His eye fell upon Master Roy, who, a little apart, was inspecting his own particular beloved command—a workmanlike squad of snipers. Eric swung round.
"If you want a really odd subaltern," he said, "take young Birnie! Appoint him Assistant Adjutant for the occasion, and tell him to send those pop-gun experts of his back to duty!"
I fairly gasped.
"You will break their hearts!" I said. "Can't you use them as scouts, or—"