"There were no women when we went out to the Crimea, at the time when you were a good little boy doing Latin exercises." "Well, altogether it is a good thing, Mallett, and we shall be much more comfortable without them." "Speak for yourself, Armstrong.

Lads of your age who can talk nothing but barrack slang, and are eminently uncomfortable when they have to chat for five minutes to a lady, are naturally glad when they are free from the restraint of having to talk like reasonable beings; but it is not so with older and wiser men.

How about Marshall ?" "He has been away on leave for the last ten days.

He has not come back here.

There have been two fellows inquiring after him diligently for the last week.