[Mr. Standfast by John Buchan]@TWC D-Link book
Mr. Standfast

CHAPTER ONE
13/55

I found him sitting on a garden seat, staring steadily before him like a lookout at sea.

He knew me all right and cheered up for a second, but very soon he was back at his staring, and every word he uttered was like the careful speech of a drunken man.

A bird flew out of a bush, and I could see him holding himself tight to keep from screaming.

The best I could do was to put a hand on his shoulder and stroke him as one strokes a frightened horse.

The sight of the price my old friend had paid didn't put me in love with pacificism.
We talked of brother officers and South Africa, for I wanted to keep his thoughts off the war, but he kept edging round to it.
'How long will the damned thing last ?' he asked.
'Oh, it's practically over,' I lied cheerfully.


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