Part 37 (1/2)

Bernard's laugh was good to hear. ”Who taught you to turn such a pretty compliment? Where is your wife? I want to see her.”

”You don't suppose I keep her in this filthy place, do you?” Everard was pouring out a drink as he spoke. ”No, no! She has been at Bhulwana in the Hills for the past three months. Now, St. Bernard, is this as you like it?”

The big man took the gla.s.s, looking at him with a smile of kindly criticism. ”Well, you won't bore each other at that rate, anyhow,” he remarked. ”Here's to you both! I drink to the greatest thing in life!”

He drank deeply and set down the gla.s.s. ”Look here! You're just off to mess. Don't let me keep you! All I want is a cold bath. And then--if you've got a spare shakedown of any sort--going to bed is mere ritual with me. I can sleep on my head--anywhere.”

”You'll sleep in a decent bed,” declared Everard. ”But you're coming along to mess with me first. Oh yes, you are. Of course you are! There's an hour before us yet though. Hullo, Tommy! Let me introduce you formally to my brother! St. Bernard,--my brother-in-law Tommy Denvers.”

Tommy came in through the window and shook hands with much heartiness.

”The _khit_ is seeing to everything. Pleased to meet you, sir! Beastly wet for you, I'm afraid, but there's worse things than rain in India.

Hope you had a decent voyage.”

Bernard laughed in his easy, good-humoured fas.h.i.+on. ”Like the n.i.g.g.e.rs, I can make myself comfortable most anywheres. We had rather a foul time after leaving Aden. Ratting in the hold was our main excitement when we weren't sweating at the pumps. Oh no, I didn't come over in one of your majestic liners. I have a sailor's soul.”

A flicker of admiration shot through the merriment in Tommy's eyes.

”Wish I had,” he observed. ”But the very thought of the sea turns mine upside down. If you're keen on ratting, there's plenty of sport of that kind to be had here. The brutes hold gymkhanas on the verandah every, night. I sit up with a gun sometimes when Everard is out of the way.”

”Yes, he's a peaceful person to live with,” remarked Everard. ”Have something to eat, St. Bernard!”

”No, no, thanks! My appet.i.te will keep. A cold bath is my most pressing need. Can I have that?”

”Sure!” said Tommy. ”You 're coming to mess with us of course? Old Reggie Ba.s.sett is honouring us with his presence to-night. It will be a historic occasion, eh, Everard?”

He smiled upon the elder brother with obvious pleasure at the prospect.

Bernard Monck always met with a welcome wherever he went, and Tommy was prepared to like any one belonging to Everard. It was good too to see Everard with that eager light in his eyes. During the whole of their acquaintance he had never seen him look so young.

Bernard held a somewhat different opinion, however, and as he found himself alone again with his brother he took him by the shoulders, and held him for a closer survey.

”What has India been doing to you, dear fellow?” he said. ”You look about as ancient as the Sphinx. Been working like a dray-horse all this time?”

”Perhaps.” Everard's smile held something of restraint. ”We can't all of us stand still, St. Bernard. Perpetual youth is given only to the favoured few.”

”Ah!” The older man's eyes narrowed a little. For a moment there existed a curious, wholly indefinite, resembance between them. ”And you are happy?” he asked abruptly.

Everard's eyes held a certain hardness as he replied, ”Provisionally, yes. I haven't got all I want yet--if that's what you mean. But I am on the way to getting it.”

Bernard Monck looked at him a moment longer, and let him go. ”Are you sure you're wanting the right thing?” he said.

It was not a question that demanded an answer, and Everard made none. He turned aside with a scarcely perceptible lift of the shoulders.

”You haven't told me yet how you come to be here,” he said. ”Have you given up the Charthurst chaplaincy?”

”It gave me up.” Bernard spoke quietly, but there was deep regret in his voice. ”A new governor came--a man of curiously rigid ideas. Anyway, I was not parson enough for him. We couldn't a.s.similate. I tried my hardest, but we couldn't get into touch anywhere. I preached the law of Divine liberty to the captives. And he--good man! preferred to keep them safely locked in the dungeon. I was forced to quit the position. I had no choice.”

”What a fool!” observed Everard tersely.