"I don't mind saying," pursued the Adjutant, ignoring this sally, "at the
risk of making myself unpopular, that personally I think it's a very good
thing that leave _has_ been cut down. My own opinion is that in the past
there's been a lot too much leave flying about. Running up and down to
London on leave isn't going to help beat the Germans. What we've got to do
if we want to win this War is to--"
At this moment the C.O. entered and put down a hockey-stick in the corner.
"Thanks for the stick, Jervis," he said, and turned to go. "By the way,
shall I see you at the orderly-room tomorrow before you go? What train are
you catching?"
The Adjutant hesitated for the fraction of a second.
"Well, Sir," he said, "I thought of taking the 9.5."
"I see," said the C.O. "Right-o. You won't be away longer than forty-eight
hours, I suppose?"
"Oh, no," said the Adjutant. "That'll do well, Sir."
A brief astonished silence followed the C.O.'s departure, a silence broken
by the excited tones of the Stunt Pilot.
"The 9.5?" he cried. "Are you going to _London_?"
The Adjutant lit a cigarette with some deliberation.
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