United States or Cambodia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
On Captain John Robin Ross-Ellison's return from leave, Colonel Dearman told that officer of General Murger's twofold insult to Colonel Dearman's wife and to Colonel Dearman's Corps.
"Any amount of real initiative and originality about this Corps. But I am old-fashioned enough to prefer drill-book evolutions on the barrack-square, I confess. Er let the Major carry on as it is getting late." Colonel Dearman's face flushed a rich dark purple. His eyes protruded till they resembled those of a crab. His red hair appeared to flame like very fire.
Moussa was bidden to take service as a mill-coolie in one of Colonel Dearman's mills, and to report on the views and attitude of the thousands who laboured therein. This he did and there learnt many interesting facts. It was Sunday and therefore John Bruce, the Engineering College Professor, was exceptionally busy.
"You'll come with me and clear the dust from Dearman's eyes at once," said he at last. "Made your will all right?" The Hatter publicly apologised, then and there, and explained that he had, for once in his life, taken a third drink and didn't know what he was saying.
A very different assembly now occupied its greasy lengths vice the former habitués of the salon, now dispersed, dead, robbed, ruined, held to ransom, or cruelly blackmailed. Dealers. Money-lenders. Dearman's coolies.
But whether circumstances brought his English blood to the surface or his Pathan blood, whether the day were one of his most English days or one of his most Pathan days, whether it were a day of mingled and quickly alternating Englishry and Pathanity he now loved and supported Britain and the British Empire for Mrs. Dearman's sake.
If it cost Colonel Dearman every penny he had in the world he would have his revenge on the insolent scoundrel. He might think he could insult Colonel Dearman's wife with impunity, he might think himself entitled to cast ridicule on Colonel Dearman's Corps but "let the Major carry on as it is getting late!" By God that was too much!
Pat Dearman's habit to read a portion of the Scriptures nightly, ere retiring to rest, for she was a Good Woman and considered the practice to be not only a mark of, but essential to, goodness. Doubtless the Powers of Evil smiled sardonically when they noted that the light which she evoked for her pious exercise lit the hand of Moussa Isa to murder, providing opportunity.
One siege is very like another and Ross-Ellison's garrison knew increasing weariness, hunger, disease and casualties. Mrs. Dearman's conduct raised Colonel Ross-Ellison's love to a burning, yearning devotion, and his defence of Gungapur became his defence of Mrs. Dearman.
Dearman's Good Time was marred to some extent by her unreasoning dislike of all Indians, a dislike which grew into a loathing hatred, born and bred of her ignorance of the language, customs, beliefs and ideals of the people among whom she lived, and from whom her husband's great wealth sprang.
Word Of The Day