and placed, still on his stretcher, in a motor-ambulance. Most of the officers seemed to be standing about, to see him off. There was a chorus of "Good-by, old man—and good luck!" He gave a feeble smile in return, and then his journey began. [Pg 80] [Pg 80] CHAPTER VII EUSTACE ORDERS A BATH CHAPTER VII EUSTACE ORDERS A BATH All next day Bill Grant was conscious that Alf was not his usual self. He seemed strangely preoccupied and absent-minded; and when even dinner-time failed to arouse him, Bill became seriously alarmed. As soon as the midday meal was done the two men sought their private retreat. They lit their pipes and smoked for some time in a silence, broken at last by a heavy sigh from Alf. "What's up with yer?" demanded Bill suddenly. "Is it yer stummick?" "I'm all right," answered Alf in a voice of hopeless dejection. There was another long silence, once more terminating in a sigh. "Look 'ere," said Bill, getting up in disgust, "if you feel as bad as all that, for 'eving's sake 'ave a good cry and get it over, an' let's 'ave the old 'ome 'appy once again. What the 'ell's up?" Alf did not answer this question, except by asking another. "Bill," he asked with a forced lightness of tone which quite failed to conceal the earnestness it [Pg 81]covered. "What did yer think of Eustace's taste in females?" [Pg 81] Bill turned and looked at him with a suddenly comprehending eye. Alf wriggled uneasily under his gaze. "So that's it, is it?" commented Bill. "Poor old Alf!" He gave a long whistle. "What'd you think of—of 'er, Bill?"
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