"
"Nonsense, man. I sha'n't hear of it."
"I've a-talked it over wi' the woman, an' she's agreeable. She says
'tis the only right an' proper thing to be done."
"She may be as agreeable as--as you deserve, Cai; but I tell you I
don't touch a penny of it. And you may have formed your own opinion
of me during twelve years of service, but in all that time I don't
think you ever knew me go back on my word."
"That's truth, sir," Cai admitted, scratching his head again;
"and more by token, 'tis about the only thing the book has forgot to
praise 'ee for."
"Perhaps," said the Major, in his bitterness almost achieving a
witticism, "the author felt 'twould be out of place."
"But all this apart, sir, I don't see how you'll get along without
money."
"Make your mind easy on that score, my friend. I rather fancy that
I'm provided for; but if that should prove to be a mistake, I may
come to you for advice."
"Marryin'?" queried Cai. "But no; with a wooden leg--you'll excuse
me--"
"Devil take the man! _You_ can't argue that womenkind are
squeamish."
Cai grinned, "You'll take on this little job, anyway, sir? I can't
very well go to his Worship an' beg you off; it might set him
suspectin'."
"I'll take the job," said the Major, hastily.
"Brayvo! But what I'd like to do"--Cai rubbed his chin
reflectively--"is to get that cussed book written over agen, an'
written different.
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