How if you could help her better than by commanding a battalion--or a brigade--or, if it comes to that, a division?
How if there is a thing which you alone can do?
Not some _embusque_ business in an office, but a thing compared to which your fight at Loos was a Sunday-school picnic.

You are not afraid of danger?
Well, in this job you would not be fighting with an army around you, but alone.

You are fond of tackling difficulties?
Well, I can give you a task which will try all your powers.

Have you anything to say ?' My heart was beginning to thump uncomfortably.

Sir Walter was not the man to pitch a case too high.
'I am a soldier,' I said, 'and under orders.' 'True; but what I am about to propose does not come by any conceivable stretch within the scope of a soldier's duties.