The Red Planet

extension of the High Street. It stands a little way back to allow room for a semicircular drive, at each end of which is a broad gate. The semi

with vegetation, so that the view from road to lawn and from lawn to road is unrestrict

offices, when the claims of good and faithful jackals on either side would have to be considered. And my heart grew sick within me, and I longed for a Man to arise who, with a snap of his strong fingers, would snuff out the Little Parish-Pump Folk who have misruled England this many a year with their limited vision and sordid aspirations, and would take the great, unshakable, triumphant command of a mighty Empire passionately yearning to do his bidding... I could read no more newspapers. They disgusted me. One faction

rsing good-humouredly at their mules; a battery of artillery thundering along at a clean, rhythmical trot which, considering what they were like in their slovenly jogging and bumping three months ago, afforded me prodigious pleasure. On the

e magni

horse and flush

ews last week that we should be sent out quite

went with him. What a joy it would be to c

ossip of the day. And presently young Randall Holmes went by on a motor bicycle. He caught sight of me, disappeared, and then suddenl

peak to you for hal

," said I.

h the gate and

ard things to me

nd I don't think th

point I agree wit

as kit. Why should he be tearing about aimlessly on a mot

with me all along

ron garden seat and

er into controversia

d of four-and-twenty. Controversial questions

ant to enter i

ssing you by, just now, I made a sudden resolution. You have thought badly of me on account of my attitude

t the inspiration you thought she was, and lik

e. "I'd give the eyes out

hy

"For the simple reason, Maj

from so artificial a product of Balliol as Randall

o, why don't

nothing to

ou aske

here's no mistake abou

ly glad to hea

little Phyllis Gedge had so much dignity and commonsense. Not many small builders' daughters would have sent packing a brilliant young gentleman like Randall Holmes, espe

not boring y

a b

r father's the most infernal swine unhung."

d I, "that you w

you so?"

irds of We

opinions, even though they're wrong, is deserving of some respect, especially when the expression of

bemarle," I interrupted, "I'm afraid y

to laugh. "You

get to the

hink

t did yo

ryone better born, better educated, better of

ose disabilities and yet not deserve to be

uirement on a platoon of agricultural recruits? The officer who suffers such gladly has his name inscribed on the Golden Legend (unfortunately unpublished) of the British Army-"but when it comes," he went on, "to low-down lying knavery, then I'm done. I don't know how t

ental turpitude. I cannot say that I was cordial. At this period, the unmilitary youth of England were not affectionately coddled by thei

or anything of that kind. He has got hold of a horrible story-told me all about it when he was foully drunk-that in itself would have ma

him. "Anything to d

frica-?

edge goes off on a mysterious jaunt with Boyce. Boyce retreats precipitately to London. Gedge in his cups tells a horrible scandal with a suggestion of

Africa?"

lse scent: "A stupid slander about illicit diamond buying in conne

with a superior smile

at is it?

ecy before he told me, and, in the next, even if I hadn't given my word, I would not be a party to such a slander by repeating it

less possession that he shoul

Randall, "because I want to make clear to you my p

owards her father?" I knew well enough from Betty;

with his opinions that she has

re those opinions, and for

done my best to convince her that I hold diametrically

." I cannot say that my tone was sympathetic. I had cause for interest in his artless tale, but it was col

t ni

you ask Phylli

eek

g to happen

I know," said

wretch at the hospital-so Betty had told me-was crying her eyes ou

ss lover always found a sovereign r

ttoned up his

didn't come to discuss it-if you'll ex

re as they wer

llis Gedge, I really didn't know my own mind. I am not a cad and the thought of-of anyth

talked some blithering ro

as a fool," he admitted gracefully

y annoyed me. I'm far from be

God's sake, talk human English, a

nt finger and thumb, and marched away

nda

ned. I

here a

at realizing that the lame old war-dog had so much authority lef

ll the pretty frills and preciousness of a year ago are as dead as last year's Brussels sprouts? We're up

said Randall, "that I

a clever fellow. Can't you see my point? Speech is an index of mental attitude. I bet you what you like Phyllis Gedge would see it at once. Just imagine a subaltern at the

to be at the front,

l ought to be," said

it. He asked f

ted his motor bicy

might have done something with him. I suppose I'm an irritable, nasty-tempered beast. It is easy to lay

oors were still shut against Mr. Holmes, I asked him what the blazes he m