“Michael likes these.” She fished one out carefully, and Michael fell upon it, sitting on the carpet that he might devour it at his ease. “And Geoff and me—oh, we likes any ’tall.”
“Then you shall have any at all.” He held out his free hand. “Come on, Geoff.” And the boy, who had hesitated, digging one foot into the carpet, suddenly capitulated and came.
“Are you an officer?” he asked presently.
“No, I’m too old,” said David Linton. “But I have a big son who is one—and another boy too.”
“What’s their regiment?”
“The same as your father’s.”
“Truly?” A sparkle came into the boy’s eyes. “I’m going to be in it some day.”
“Of course you will—and Michael too, I suppose. And then you’ll fight the Germans—that is, if there are any left.”
“Daddy says there won’t be. But I keep hoping there’ll be just a few for me and Michael.’
“Alison wants some too,” said that lady. “Wants to kill vem wiv my wevolver.”