I don't want to answer questions about you till we're ready to start.

I reckon it'll be an hour's job.' The cheerfulness I had acquired in the upper air still filled me.

I sat down in a ditch, as merry as a sand-boy, and lit a pipe.

I was possessed by a boyish spirit of casual adventure, and waited on the next turn of fortune's wheel with only a pleasant amusement.
That turn was not long in coming.

Archie appeared very breathless.
'Look here, sir, there's the deuce of a row up there.