Shelton noted with alarm the expression of his eye; there was a sort of stubborn aspiration in it. “Still an idealist!” he thought; “poor fellow!” “Well,” he inquired, “what sort of a time have you had in India?”
“Oh,” said the Indian civilian absently, “I've, had the plague.”
“Good God!”
Crocker smiled, and added:
“Caught it on famine duty.”
“I see,” said Shelton; “plague and famine! I suppose you fellows really think you 're doing good out there?”
His companion looked at him surprised, then answered modestly:
“We get very good screws.”
“That 's the great thing,” responded Shelton.
After a moment's silence, Crocker, looking straight before him, asked: