and cuts out her picture. This is all rather confidential, major." "Of course. Poor old chap. You know, Dickie, I do happen to know the lady. In peace time she was as nice a kid as you could want to meet. If Denis hasn't met her since then, I don't wonder at him, because she's really frightfully pretty. But her head has been utterly turned. She acts as parlor-maid once a fortnight in a hospital my sister runs in Kensington, and she's more hindrance than help, because she never arrives in time, and she's[Pg 40] always got some footling reason for wanting to go early. But her photograph in V.A.D. uniform gets published about once a fortnight, usually headed 'Nursing the Wounded,' or, 'An Indefatigable War Worker'! The worst of it is she's got brains if she'd use them; only she won't. A spoilt, thoughtless little idiot, and as pretty as they make 'em. Poor old Denis." [Pg 40] At this point Allen returned and resumed his work without a word. The major fell silent. Richards cast about for some subject to cover the awkward break in the conversation. "D'you know when we go back to the line, sir?" he asked at last. "Not settled. End of the week, I think. Look here, I've interrupted you fellows quite enough. Give me some of those letters." "Thanks awfully, sir. You're a sportsman." By dinner time the pile was finished, and Allen had time to write his note. CONTENTS "Dear Peggy," he wrote,— Dear Peggy "Just a line to tell you I'm still alive, and hoping to remain so. You might write to me when you've time. In great haste, "Your affectionate cousin, "Denis. Denis "P.S. If you happen to see Miss FitzPeter, please give her my kind regards."
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