"I suppose so; but not until this despatch is actually delivered to the Colonel."
We were silent again. We were both picturing the same scene, I fancy. Presently Roy said:
"If only it had been delayed in some way!"
I nodded.
"Even for a day!—"
"Even for an hour!—"
"Even for ten minutes! We should have been gone out of this place, and they would not have got us until the show was over!"
Our eyes met, then dropped hurriedly. We had read one another's thoughts. Discipline, Discipline, Discipline!
Roy picked up the two despatches, folded them, and put them mechanically into the pocket of his field despatch-book. Then he cleared his throat huskily. I found myself doing the same.
"Look here!—" we began both at once.