It is a great pity that there cannot be a better division of work, though I own I don't see how it is to be managed." By this time they were walking towards the lines.
"I should not mind taking a share of the civil work at the station," Captain Doolan said, "if they would make our pay a little more like that of the civilians." "There is something in that, Doolan," the Doctor agreed; "it is just as hard work having nothing to do as it is having too much; and I have always been of opinion that the tremendous disproportion between the pay of a military man and of a civilian of the same age is simply monstrous.
Well, goodnight, Doolan; I hope you will tell Mrs.Doolan that the credit is entirely due to me that you are home at the reasonable hour of one o'clock, instead of dropping in just in time to change for parade." "A good fellow," the Doctor said, as he walked on with Bathurst; "he would never set the Thames on fire; but he is an honest, kindly fellow.
He would make a capital officer if he were on service.

His marriage has been an excellent thing for him.

He had nothing to do before but to pass away his time in the club or mess house, and drink more than was good for him.

But he has pulled himself round altogether since he married.
His wife is a bright, clever little woman, and knows how to make the house happy for him; if he had married a lackadaisical sort of a woman, the betting is he would have gone to the bad altogether." "I only met him once or twice before," Bathurst said.

"You see I am not here very often, and when I am it is only on business, so I know a very few people here except those I have to deal with, and by the time I have got through my business I am generally so thoroughly out of temper with the pig headed stupidity and obstinacy of people in general, that I get into my buggy and drive straight away." "I fancy you irritate them as much as they irritate you, Bathurst.