There is an indescribable charm in thus reviewing stormy events when seated in a comfortable chair with a prime weed between one’s teeth; no wonder old soldiers take such keen pleasure in fighting their battles over again.
Diana was plainly not satisfied.
She seemed to realize that I was purposely withholding some point that had a material bearing on the story.
Perhaps she believed the lady to be some young and charming señorita with midnight eyes, whom I had met before. I had studiously refrained from all mention of anything that would lead her to suspect it was an American in whose cause Robbins and myself had enlisted, fearful lest she should put two and two together and solve the puzzle.
But she was not quite bold enough to demand a direct answer to her questions, and I left her groping in the dark, hugging all manner of delusions to her heart, and doubtless investing me with such romantic surroundings as had never entered the head of novelist to conceive.
We soon branched off upon other topics; I was determined to erase myself as the chief factor in the conversation.
They had traveled much, and between wide awake people who have seen the world there is always much of mutual interest in comparing notes regarding the odd things encountered.
More than once I wished they would retire.
Several reasons influenced me.
First, I desired to see Cummings and have something to say about our course.