Do you know," and Carmichael turned to the General, who was smoking in great peace, "I believe that is the reason the Highlanders are such good fighting men.
They fear God, and they don't fear any other person." "I 'll vouch for one thing," said the veteran with emphasis; "our men put off the gloom, or whatever you call it, when they smelt powder; I never saw a panic in a Highland regiment in more than forty years' soldiering." "What's the reason of the gloom?
I believe that I have a touch of it myself at times--don't stare at me, dad, it's rude--just a thin mist, you know, but distinctly not indigestion.

Is it a matter of race ?" "Of course, but that's no explanation." Carmichael had fallen into his debating society style.

"I mean one has to go further back; all our habits are shaped by environment." "One moment, please.

I have always wanted to ask some clever person what environment meant.

I asked Colonel MacLeod once, dad, and he said it was out of the new book on tactics, and he was thankful he had retired.