'His mother used to obtain her groceries from your uncle. If you could have presented the colonel to me—well, never mind. I presume the major is on the quee vive.'
'He'll be ha'ein' a wash an' brush up, I wud say.'
'But why are you not being drilled or digging up trenches or firing guns——'
'We're a' deid men this efternune. Had a big rout mairch the day.'
'Oh, indeed! Well, when does the band play?'
'The baun's burstit wi' the rout mairch. It couldna blaw the ash aff a ceegarette. I'm rael sorry——'
'I would like to inspect the apartments you live in. Pray conduct me——'
'Some o' the chaps is cleanin' theirsel's. If ye like, I'll tell them to hurry up or get ablow the blankets.'
'Certainly not!' said Mrs. Purdie with decision. 'Is there no tea-room adjacent?'
'Jist the canteen. I doobt I couldna I tak' ye inside, but I could fetch ye oot a drink—something T. T., I suppose?'