Forget all about it! George smiled in a melancholy way at the words; but nevertheless he was not well enough to contest the point. “And by the way,” added Jim, cheerily, “I’ve got a letter from Newcome (you remember Newcome, George, the man who played for Sandhurst against us two years ago) I think you’ll like to hear.”
There was one in the room, whether George liked it or not, who was dying to hear it!
“He’s just gone out to India, you know, to join his regiment.”
“Here’s his letter,” he said, producing it and nervously glancing at George to see if he appeared interested. “Shall I read it?”
“Yes, please,” said George, slowly.
“It’s not a long one. ‘Dear Jim,’ he says, ‘I wish you were out here with all my heart. I should at least have one fellow to talk to among all these strangers. I had a decent enough passage. Father Ocean was on his good behaviour, and the vessel was a snug one. We came in for rough weather in the Persian Gulf, but it didn’t afflict me much, and I landed here two days ago, safe and sound. I reported myself to our colonel yesterday and was introduced to my fellow-officers. Some of them are decent fellows, though perhaps hardly in your and my line. I had been told the officers of our regiment were a rackety lot, but I don’t see much sign of that yet. It’s awfully dull here, and I would give a lot to be up in your rooms at George’s, sprawling in your easy-chair and talking over Randlebury days. I suppose you will soon be in for your final. Good luck be with you, my boy! Remember me in your will if you get made a Fellow. I suppose the man I met in your rooms once—Read I believe his name was—will be first. Talking of that day, have you heard lately of Tom Drift? I shall always be glad I went up to town that night and found him out, though I lost him again so soon. I inquired everywhere when I was last in town, but nothing was known of him, except that he was supposed to have been engaged in some—’ But that’s all about an old schoolfellow and won’t interest you. ‘We expect to be ordered up-country pretty soon now, and meanwhile have liberty to amuse ourselves pretty much as we like, but, as far as I can see, cards unfortunately seem the only recreation in which the officers indulge. However, I shall be kept busy with drill, and being junior officer expect I shall be for some time fag of the regiment. Mind you write as soon as ever you get this, and a regular yarn. I have had to write this in a hurry, and in a room where a noise is going on. By next mail you shall get a full, true, and particular account of all the doings, sayings, and adventures of yours as ever, C.N.’
“I’m afraid,” said Jim, as he folded up the letter, “it will be rather dull out there, for—hullo!”
This ejaculation was caused by seeing that George was sitting motionless with his elbows on the table and his face buried in his hands.
“What’s the matter?” he said, getting up and laying his hand on his friend’s arm.
George looked up suddenly with a scared face, which frightened Jim.