Elliot swallowed half his whisky. “I didn"t realise it affected you so badly, Jack.”
“It does,” Jack said. “And having the Royals brigaded here reminds me.”
“You"ll be glad to be on active service.”
“Sometimes. Mary is happier in Gondabad than in England,” Jack said. “Home, as she called it, was not what she thought.” He swallowed half the contents of his glass. “I"m thinking of sending in my papers, Arthur.”
“You"re thinking of resigning?” Elliot looked up in genuine alarm. “What would the 113th do without you?”
“The 113th won"t miss me,” Jack said seriously. “I don"t think a Eurasian officer enhances its prestige.” He finished his whisky. “You"d be better without me, Arthur.”
“What does Mary think?”
“I haven"t asked her yet,” Jack said.
Elliot raised his eyes, said nothing, and f
