"Guess you got everything right, Corporal?" he said.
"Everything, sir."
"Good. My diary's right up to date," Steve went on. "Things are quiet just now. They'll get busy later."
He swung into the saddle and held out a hand.
"So long," he said, as the Corporal promptly gripped it.
"So long, sir. And—good luck."
"Thanks."
The horse moved away and Steve passed round to Nita. He drew rein opposite the door but did not dismount.
"Let's—get another peck at her, Nita," he said, and it almost seemed as if the words were jerked from under the restraint he was putting on himself.
The girl had no words with which to answer him. Her eyes were wide and dry. But from her pallor it was obvious deep emotion was stirring. She came to his side, and held the baby up to him, a movement that had something of the tragic in it.