"I knew about you being there, but we couldn't help it, and Ram used to tell me all about it, and how he liked you; and we sent you everything we could to make you comfortable.

Be kind now to my son." "If Ram turns out a good lad, Mrs Shackle, he shall never want a--" Archy was going to say friend, but he could not, for Mrs Shackle had thrown her arms about his neck in a big, motherly hug, from which the young officer escaped red-faced and vexed.
"I wish she hadn't kissed me," he said to himself, after making sure that no one had seen.

"And she has made my face all wet with her crying." They were on the march now to the Hoze, with the lieutenant in the highest of glee, and chatting merrily to Archy as a brother officer and a friend.
"If I could only have got the lugger too, Raystoke," he cried, "it would have been glorious! But I couldn't do impossibilities, could I ?" "I am sure you did wonders, Mr Brough," said Archy.
"Well, never mind what I did, sir.

You and Gurr acted so that I'm proud of you both, and of the lads.

Completely burned out the wasps' nest, eh?
It--will be a glorious despatch, Raystoke.