“Take this chair, doctor,” he mumbled.
The doctor sat down.
“This affair is variously appreciated—in town and in the army. In fact, the diversity of opinions is amusing.”
“Is it!” mumbled Lieut. D’Hubert, tramping steadily from wall to wall. But within himself he marvelled that there could be two opinions on the matter. The surgeon continued.
“Of course, as the real facts are not known—”
“I should have thought,” interrupted D’Hubert, “that the fellow would have put you in possession of facts.”
“He said something,” admitted the other, “the first time I saw him. And, by the by, I did find him in the garden. The thump on the back of his head had made him a little incoherent then. Afterwards he was rather reticent than otherwise.”
“Didn’t think he would have the grace to be ashamed!” mumbled D’Hubert, resuming his pacing while the doctor murmured, “It’s very amusing. Ashamed! Shame was not exactly his frame of mind. However, you may look at the matter otherwise.”
“What are you talking about? What matter?” asked D’Hubert, with a sidelong look at the heavy-faced, grey-haired figure seated on a wooden chair.
“Whatever it is,” said the surgeon a little impatiently, “I don’t want to pronounce any opinion on your conduct—”