'Never mind--I may as well meet him here as elsewhere; and I should like to see the chap, and make friends with en, as he seems one o' the right sort.' He returned to the fireplace just as the sergeant-major was ushered in.
III He was a good specimen of the long-service soldier of those days; a not unhandsome man, with a certain undemonstrative dignity, which some might have said to be partly owing to the stiffness of his uniform about his neck, the high stock being still worn.

He was much stouter than when Selina had parted from him.

Although she had not meant to be demonstrative she ran across to him directly she saw him, and he held her in his arms and kissed her.
Then in much agitation she whispered something to him, at which he seemed to be much surprised.
'He's just put to bed,' she continued.

'You can go up and see him.

I knew you'd come if you were alive! But I had quite gi'd you up for dead.
You've been home in England ever since the war ended ?' 'Yes, dear.' 'Why didn't you come sooner ?' 'That's just what I ask myself! Why was I such a sappy as not to hurry here the first day I set foot on shore! Well, who'd have thought it--you are as pretty as ever!' He relinquished her to peep upstairs a little way, where, by looking through the ballusters, he could see Johnny's cot just within an open door.