"Well, then, we'll do it. Get Morris to make you look as smart as possible, and I will order the motor-car to come round. Now, then, off with you!"
I flew to get ready, and father and I had a very happy day together. As we were coming back in the motor-car, just in time for me to get dressed for that great function which he would not attend, I said to him:
"Daddy, I thought that when people were a long time in the army——"
"Eh, eh?" he said. "What about the army?"
"I thought that they got promotion—I mean you ought to be a full colonel, or even a general, by now."
"Little Heather, will you promise with all your heart and soul never to repeat something I am going to say to you?"
"Of course, I will promise you, my own daddy."
"Well, I am not in the army—I haven't been in the army for years."
"Daddy!"
"Now listen, and keep that knowledge deep down in your heart. But for that scoundrel who wanted to pay us a visit I'd have been a general in his Majesty's service now. No more words, Heather; no more words—keep it dark, dark in your heart. I am called Major by her ladyship as a matter of courtesy, but I was snuffed out some time ago, child; yes, snuffed out. Now then, here we are! We've had a good day—very jolly to be alone with my little Heather—life's not half bad when you consider that your own child need not understand every black and evil thing about you. But I am snuffed out for all that, little Heather mine."