"A little."
"Well, I won't worry you to-night; but to-morrow you must be put through your paces."
"Mary will stand no nonsense," said the Colonel, laughing gently. "We all have to do as she tells us. She'll turn you round her little finger."
"Will she?" said James, glancing down at the solid boots, which the short bicycle skirt rather obtrusively exposed to view.
"Don't frighten him the moment he comes home," cried Mary. "As a matter of fact, I shan't be able to come to-morrow morning; I've got my district-visiting to do, and I don't think Jamie is strong enough to go with me yet. Does your wound hurt you still, Jamie?"
"No," he said, "I can't use my arm much, though. It'll be all right soon."
"You must tell us about the great event to-morrow," said Mary, referring to the deed which had won him the decoration. "You've put us all out by coming sooner than you were expected."
"Have I? I'm sorry."
"Didn't you notice anything when you drove in this evening?"
"No, it was quite dark."