“Welcome to our city, whose beauties have overcome others also,” Thaine said, as he helped Todd to rise from the mud.
“Well, you look good to me, whether I do to you or not,” Todd declared, as he scraped at the muddy plaster on his clothing.
“Enter!” Thaine exclaimed dramatically, holding back the tent flaps. “I hope you are not wounded.” 301
Todd limped inside and sat down on the wet straw.
“No, my company just got to camp. I was so crazy to see anybody from the short grass country that I made a slide your way too swiftly. I don’t mind these clothes, for I’ll be getting my soldier’s togs in a minute anyhow, but I did twist that ankle in my zeal. Where’s your uniform?” Todd asked, staring at Thaine’s clothes.
“With yours, still. Make a minute of it when you get it, won’t you?” Thaine replied. “Our common Uncle wants soldiers. He has no time to give to their clothes. A ragged shirt or naked breast will stop a Spanish bullet as well as a khaki suit.”
“Do you mean to say you haven’t your soldier uniform yet?” Todd broke in.
“A few of us have, but most of us haven’t. They cost something,” Thaine said with a shiver, for the May afternoon was chilly.
“Then I’ll not stay here and risk my precious life for a government so darned little and stingy.”
Todd sprang up with the words, but fell down again, clasping his ankle.