And Calder sat and watched him, and disbelieved every word that he said.

The other officers went about their duties; Calder remained behind, and waited until Durrance should finish.
But it seemed that Durrance never would finish.

He loitered over his breakfast, and when that was done he pushed his plate away and sat talking.

There was no end to his questions as to what had passed at Wadi Halfa during the last eight weeks, no limit to his enthusiasm over the journey from which he had just returned.

Finally, however, he stopped with a remarkable abruptness, and said, with some suspicion, to his companion:-- "You are taking life easily this morning." "I have not eight weeks' arrears of letters to clear off, as you have, Colonel," Calder returned with a laugh; and he saw Durrance's face cloud and his forehead contract.
"True," he said, after a pause.