So what Archie would have called 'being decent' prevailed, and, painfully, he began to plan the immediate future. He welcomed, indeed, anything that held his mind away from thought of his loss, the three lives.
The outcome of that salvation—what would afterwards become of Norah, Ward, and himself—he did not attempt to guess.
At last his ideas were in order. In spite of the heat he shivered as he got up to return to camp."
CHAPTER IV
The first face he saw was Dick's. In spite of the heat through canvas, Norah had retired into the tent. Archie wondered if it was to show she had not sent for Ward. 'Damn the fellow,' he muttered, 'can't he see he's asking for trouble.'
That wouldn't do, he reflected; in a minute he'd be at the man's throat. Must be normal; what was it Norah had said—'Be civilised'?
His attempt at normality and civility would have made an angel laugh.
'Rain's coming,' he growled.
'Yes,' replied Dick, and wondered whether this was the small talk of the tribunal before the black cap is assumed, 'that's why it's so appallingly hot, I suppose.'