Then I told her how they took Jimmy's hand off.
I heard the Canon groan. Millicent and Victoria began to sob as their mother had sobbed. Mildred set her teeth firmly; and Mrs. Thesiger turned to me a queer, disordered face, and spoke.
"They—they gave the anaesthetic to—Reggie?"
"They did," I said. "Because Jimmy made them."
Yes. I am very sorry for Mrs. Thesiger.
She cried, softly, and with a great recovery of beauty and dignity, for about fifteen seconds (the Canon had gone back to Jevons); then she rose and addressed her daughter.
"Mildred dear, I think Jimmy had better have Reggie's room."
Then she went to him; and I am told that she kissed him for the first time. She kissed him as if he had been her son. (Poor Jimmy, I may say, was so tired that he didn't want to be kissed by anybody.)
* * * * *
He still had Reggie's room six weeks later when I came back from France for a week-end. Reggie had recovered, and was with them for a fortnight's leave before he went out again.