At this period, the unmilitary youth of England were not affectionately coddled by their friends.

Still, I was curious to see whether Gedge's depravity extended beyond a purely political scope.

I questioned my young visitor.
"Oh, it's nothing to do with abstract opinions," said he, thinning away the butt-end of his cigarette.

"And nothing to do with treason, or anything of that kind.

He has got hold of a horrible story--told me all about it when he was foully drunk--that in itself would have made me break with him, for I loathe drunken men--and gloats over the fact that he is holding it over somebody's head.