"Yes, but how good is it, Major Fairbairn?"
"Fine."
"Well, go on and tell us. You are a nice major."
"Thank you. In the first place, as you may remember I said it would be, the lists of casualties are greatly reduced."
"Casualties?" said Mrs. Sandford. "What is that? I am learning so many new things."
"The lists of the killed and wounded."
"Oh! That is what a military man calls casualties, Daisy, my dear."
"It is the term in common use -" said the major, looking somewhat taken aback.
"I know. Pray, Major Fairbairn, have the officers of the army the reputation of making good husbands and heads of families?"
"I have always heard that they did," said the major, colouring a little and by no means free of his astonishment.