You see it must be a distant appointment, or they would not talk about the ship being due to sail." "I dare say," he answered as cheerfully as he could.

"Such things are to be expected in these times, are they not ?" "Too bad!" she went on, "at any rate they might have let you have your leave." Then they rose because they must and made pretence to eat some breakfast, after which they departed in one of Isobel's motors, which had been summoned by telephone from her London house, to the Department indicated in the telegram.
They need not have hurried, since the important person whom Godfrey must see did not arrive for a full hour, during all which time Isobel sat waiting in the motor.

However, when he appeared he was very gracious.
"Oh! yes," he said, "you are Major Knight, and we have a mutual friend in old General Cubitte.

In fact it was he who put an idea into our heads, for which, as I understand you are just married--a pretty hunt you gave us, by the way--perhaps you won't altogether bless him, since otherwise, as you are only just recovered from your wounds, I have no doubt we could have given you a month or two extra leave.

However, I know you are very keen, for I've looked up your record, and private affairs must give way, mustn't they?
Also, as it happens, Mrs.Knight need not be anxious, as we are not going to send you into any particular danger; I dare say you won't see a shot fired.
"Look here, Major, you have been a Staff officer, haven't you, and it is reported of you that you always got on extremely well with natives, and especially in some semi-political billets which you have held when you had to negotiate with their chiefs.