As Ayah and I joined her, a native servant, who was bringing something in, said abruptly, "Gordon Sahib--he dead too." When my father returned from the funeral he found my mother in a panic.
Some friends had lately invited her to stay with them, and she was now resolved to go.

"I am sure I shall die if I stay here!" she cried, and it ended in her going away at once.

There was some difficulty as to accommodating me and Ayah, and it was decided that, if necessary, we should follow my mother later.
For my own part, I begged to remain.

I had no fear of cholera, and I was anxious to dine with my father on my birthday, as he had promised that I should.
It was on the day before my birthday that one of the surgeons was buried.

The man next in rank to the poor Colonel was on leave, and the regiment was commanded by our friend Major Buller, whose little daughters were invited to spend the following evening with me.