Standing in the green dimness with a tumbler in one hand, he sorted them out.

There were two for himself and two for Tommy, the latter obviously bills, and under these one more, also for Tommy in a woman's clear round writing.

It came from Srinagar, and Monck stood for a second or two holding it in his hand and staring straight out before him with eyes that saw not.

Just for those seconds a mocking vision danced gnomelike through his brain.

Just at this moment probably most of the other men were opening letters from their wives in the Hills.