You are
most welcome to any help or hospitality that I can offer, but if
you wish to do more fighting I must ask you to go elsewhere. As
I have told you, we are peaceful men who trade with these people,
and do not wish to be involved in a quarrel with them, which
might expose us to attack or bring us into trouble with the
British Government which has annexed but not conquered their
country. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly. While we are with you we will do nothing, but
afterwards we hold ourselves at liberty to act as we think best."
"Quite so. Meanwhile I hope that you and Mr. Anscombe will make
yourselves comfortable with us for as long as you like."
In my own mind I came to the conclusion that this would be for
the shortest time possible, but I only said--
"It is most kind of you to take in complete strangers thus. No,
not complete," I added, looking towards Anscombe who was
following on the tired horse a few paces behind, "for you knew
his father, did you not?"
"His father?" he said, lifting his eyebrows. "No. Oh! I
remember, I said something to that effect the other night, but it
was a mistake. I mixed up two names, as one often does after a
lapse of many years."
"I understand," I answered, but remembering Anscombe's story I
reflected to myself that our venerable host was an excellent
liar. Or more probably he meant to convey that he wished the
subject of his youthful reminiscences to be taboo.
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