CAPT. M. (Imploringly.) Gaddy, if you love me, for pity's sake, for the Honour of the Regiment, stand up! Chuck yourself into your uniform! Look like a man! I've got to speak to the Padre a minute. (G. breaks into a gentle perspiration.) If you wipe your face I'll never be your best man again. Stand up! (G. trembles visibly.)
CAPT. M. (Returning.) She's coming now. Look out when the music starts. There's the organ beginning to clack.
Bride steps out of 'rickshaw at Church door. G. catches a glimpse of her and takes heart.
ORGAN.—
'The Voice that breathed o'er Eden,
That earliest marriage day,
The primal marriage-blessing,
It hath not passed away.'
CAPT. M. (Watching G.) By Jove! He is looking well. 'Didn't think he had it in him.
CAPT. G. How long does this hymn go on for?
CAPT. M. It will be over directly. (Anxiously.) Beginning to bleach and gulp? Hold on, Gaddy, and think o' the Regiment.
CAPT. G. (Measuredly.) I say, there's a big brown lizard crawling up that wall.
CAPT. M. My Sainted Mother! The last stage of collapse!