Spirits were not very high at the mess just then.

Nearly all the women had left for the Hills, and the increasing heat was beginning to make life a burden.
The younger officers did their best to be cheerful, and one of them, Bertie Oakes, a merry, brainless youngster, even proposed an impromptu dance to enliven the proceedings.

But he did not find many supporters.
Men were tired after the polo.

Colonel Mansfield and Major Burton were deeply engrossed with some news that had been brought by Barnes of the Police, and no one mustered energy for more than talk.
Tommy soon decided to leave early and return to his letters.

Before departing, he looked round for Monck as was his custom, but finding that he and Captain Ermsted had also been drawn into the discussion with the Colonel, he left the mess alone.
Back in The Green Bungalow he flung off his coat and threw himself down in his shirt-sleeves on the verandah to read his sister's letter.