"
I went to the instrument like a man in a dream. Something suddenly
gone wrong with Sally's healthy first-born? Jimmy starting for
France and ringing me up for farewell? Farrell--damn Farrell!--to
talk business? Jephson, with word that he had achieved the urgent
desire of his heart and been passed as a gunner, to join me, _quo fas
et gloria ducunt_? These four only, to my knowledge, had my probable
address.
"Hallo?" I called.
"Hallo!" came the answer sharp and prompt, in a woman's voice which I
recognised at once for Constantia's. "Is that you, Roddy?"
"Yes--Roddy, all right," I spoke back, mastering my voice.
"Have you seen--?" Her voice trailed off.
"D'you mean the announcement? Yes, two minutes ago. Is it
congratulations you're ringing up in this hurry?"
"Roddy, dear, don't be a beast!" the voice implored. "I'm in a
horrible hole, and I think only you can help me. Is it possible for
you to get leave, and come? Mamma asks me to say that there's a room
here, and--and we want you!"
"As it happens," returned I, "there'll be no trouble about getting
leave.
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