Reflecting that this was not the time to satisfy his burning curiosity, Jeekie went and in due course returned with some cold mutton and a bottle of claret.

Then came his chance, for Alan could scarcely touch the mutton and demanded toast and butter.
"Very inferior chop"-- that was his West African word for food--"for a gentleman, Major," he said, shaking his white head sympathetically and pointing to the mutton,--"specially when he has unexpectedly departed from magnificent eating of The Court.

Why did you not wait till after dinner, Major, before retiring ?" Alan laughed at the man's inflated English, and answered in a more nervous and colloquial style: "Because I was kicked out, Jeekie." "Ah! I gathered that kicking was in the wind, Major.

Sir Robert Aylward, Bart., he also was kicked out, but by smaller toe." Again Alan laughed and, as it was a relief to talk even to Jeekie, asked him: "How do you know that ?" "I gathered it out of atmosphere, Major; from Sir Robert's gentleman, from two youths who watch Sir Robert and Miss Barbara talking upon golf green No.

9, from the machine driver of Sir Robert whose eyes he damn in public, and last but not least from his own noble countenance." "I see that you are observant, Jeekie." "Observation, Major, it is art of life.