“They were always astonishingly good in the way they overlooked my bad taste in being a girl!” said Norah, with a laugh. She was running her eye over the letter. “Oh—hit in the shoulder. I do hope it wasn’t a very painful wound—poor old boy. I wonder will he be able to ride, Dad?”
“He says he’s very well. But then, he would,” Mr. Linton said. “Since we first knew him Wally would never admit so much as a finger-ache if he could possibly avoid it. I expect he’ll ride if it’s humanly possible!”
Allenby came out.
“Hawkins would like to see you, sir.”
“Very well,” said his master. “By the way, Allenby, Mr. Wally is coming back on leave.”
The butler’s face brightened.
“Is he indeed, sir! That’s good news.”
“Yes—he has been wounded, but he’s all right.”
“Miss de Lisle will certainly invent a new dish in his honour, sir,” said Allenby, laughing. “Is he coming soon?”
“This week, he says. Well, I mustn’t keep Hawkins waiting.” He went into the house, with Allenby at his heels. It was evident that the kitchen would hear the news as quickly as the ex-sergeant could get there.