Jack drew on his cheroot, as Mary brushed imaginary dust from David"s shoulder, talking all the while. “I"d rather you wouldn"t join the army, David, but if you must at least join the 113th, so your father can look after you.”
David smiled. “That"s why I can"t join the 113th, Mother. I must make my own way in the world.”
Mary shook her head. “You"re your father"s son, right enough. Stubborn as a battery mule.”
“More like his mother"s son,” Jack said as David walked away. “Stubborn as the Brigade of Guards and knows everything better than anybody else.”
Mary shook her head, closed the door, and began to change. Jack liked to watch her dress, with twenty years of marriage, not diminishing his affection.
“Do women have to wear so many layers?” Jack asked, tracing her curves with his eyes
