This is my anniversary. I never could love another girl after Carol. I’ve gone lonely for twelve years for her sake. If she could have felt differently I should have been your big brother all this time. Won’t you dine with me to-night? This is always a hard day for me.”

Hugh looked down on his immaculate companion curiously. How could a man, with hair graying around the temples and growing thin on the crown, nurse memories of love? It seemed absurd. But the face regarding him so steadily was a strong one. An idea suddenly occurred to the boy.

“Were you in the big shindy?”

“Yes.”

“What were you?”

“Major of infantry.”

“Get any bumps?”

“Yes, I achieved a little limp. Didn’t you notice it?”

“I hated the officers,” remarked Hugh.

[9]

[9]

“Will you come to-night?”

There was only a trifle more of hesitation before the boy answered: “Well—I’ll come.”

Ogden slapped him on the back and he moved off with long, deliberate strides. The older man looked after him. The boy’s splendid build and the grace with which his head was set on those firm shoulders attracted many a glance wherever he appeared.

The man sighed. He was familiar with the type of disillusioned returned members of the A.E.F., who went out surrounded by the incense of hero-worship, and came back to the shock of finding themselves negligible.

[10]

[10]

CHAPTER II FOR CAROL

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