CHAPTER V
Finis
After war, peace; after storm, calm; after pain, ease. . . .
Almost the first people whom he met in the Bombay Yacht Club after visiting the Colaba Hospital and being given six months’ leave by the Medical Board, were his father and Miranda Walsingham.
Major Walsingham Greene had been severely wounded in Mesopotamia—but he had at last won decoration, promotion, recognition. He was acting Brigadier-General when he fell—and it was considered certain that he would get the Victoria Cross for which he had been recommended.
When he beheld his son, in khaki, war-worn and wounded (like himself, like his father and grandfather, like a true Greene of that ilk), his cup was full and he was a happy man—at last.
And Miranda! She could scarcely contain herself. She almost threw her arms round her old playmate’s neck, then and there, in the middle of the Yacht Club lawn. . . . How splendid he looked! Who said her Bertram might make a scholar and a gentleman—but would never make a man?
Oh, joy! She had come out to bring home her “Uncle” Hugh and generally look after him—and now there were two patients to look after.
* * * * *
It was a happy voyage Home, and a very happy six months at Leighcombe Priory thereafter. . . .
And when acting Brigadier-General Walsingham Greene and his son returned to India, Miranda Walsingham went with them as Mrs. Bertram Greene.
But Bertram was no longer “Cupid”—he seemed to have left “Cupid” in Africa.
NOTES.
[17a] Plain.
[17b] Loin-cloth.
[21a] Good.
[21b] Make.
[21c] “I want the Colonel. Where is he?”
[30] Cupboard.
[38a] “Is all well?”
[38b] “Without doubt.”
[50] Woolly ones. Negroes.
[54] Bullock-cart men.
[56a] Yes.
[56b] Without doubt.
[66] Here.
[67] Store-sheds.
[72a] Oxen.
[72b] Bring here.
[72c] Talk, palaver.
[72d] Savages.
[81] “Very good, sir.”
[98] “Be careful—you!”
[101a] “Good!”
[101b] “Kill the devils. Do well.”
[101c] “It is not the enemy.”
[133a] Medicine.
[133b] “Great Simba has killed a white man.”
[134a] “Wait. Lie on the stretcher.”
[134b] “It is nothing.”
[134c] “Thanks. It is nothing. Do not hold me.”
[142] Clever and competent.
[148] Sit down.
[150] Open plain.
[167] Food.
[168a] “Dinner is ready.”
[168b] Yes.
[173] Cultivation, garden.
[174] Over-eating.
[183a] White men.
[183b] Club.
[184] Cooking-pot.
[185] “Lunch is ready.”
[198] Tribal dance.
[221a] “The stretcher-bearers will come, brother.”
[221b] “No doubt, sir. I am waiting.”
[222] “Gone, sir. There is nothing.”
[224a] “Bravo.”
[224b] “Kill! Kill!”