EPILOGUE
ALL'S WELL
It was something more than four years later, when the Armistice wassigned amid world-wide rejoicings of the Allied Nations, that a youngsoldier, bronzed and upright, rang the bell of a beautiful flat inBrighton, over-looking the sea. Above his breast pocket, on the left,were two ribbons, the D.S.O. and the M.C., the sight of which had wonhim glances of approval and soft looks of admiration, all the way along.Those bits of ribbon told wordlessly of self-sacrifice and devotion toduty; valour and endurance;--they suggested to the subconscious mind,danger, bodily discomfort, and endurance to the limit of humansuffering, so that this brisk little freckled officer of very ordinarylooks, was marked for all time, by those who knew, as one of the manyspecial heroes of the most terrible war the world has ever known.
He was shown into the drawing-room, and, in a moment, a gracious ladyswept in with welcome in her eyes and both hands extended.
"Oh, Tommy!--how good it is to see you safe!"
"And to see you looking so fit, Honey--dear old girl!"
"I was beginning to feel quite anxious, as you had not written for amonth!"
"There was so much doing. Besides, I was reserving it all for ourmeeting."
They had much to talk about; he, of his vicissitudes in Mesopotamia, andshe, of her husband and his work in the war-hospital in Brighton towhich he was attached. Last of all, Tommy asked to see his god-son towhom he had yet to be introduced.
"He is such a perfect darling!" said Honor beaming upon her visitorhappily; "the very image of Brian." Pressing a bell, she gave her orderswhich were promptly obeyed by a nurse who entered with the baby, a lustyboy with grey-green eyes, and lips firmly locked in a cupid's bow.
"Hullo!" said Tommy, "shake hands with 'Uncle'!"
"Say, 'How do'?" said Honor, kissing the velvet cheek.
"'Ow do!" said Baby staring at the pretty coloured ribbons on the khakitunic.
"This is the age at which I like them best," said Tommy admiringly."He's 'some' kid! Do you remember trying to interest me in the Meredithinfant when it was a glorified dummy in long clothes?"
"Yes, and you wasted your energies trying to fix its attention when itdid not know you from a mango tree!" They laughed heartily at therecollection.
"Where are the Merediths, by the way?"
"They are stationed at Darjeeling, which suits the baby verywell--perhaps you don't know that there is another baby?"
"I believe Jack wrote something of the sort, some little time back."
"A baby girl this time, and getting on splendidly."
"Where is the first?--still with the grandparents?"
"Yes. I saw him not long ago--such a beautiful boy and so independent!The old people are so proud of him. Do you know that Jack and Kitty areat home?"
"No! When did they come? I did not know that women were allowedpassages?"
"They managed to 'wangle' it, somehow. Jack had malaria and was orderedhome by the doctors. It was a most exciting voyage, from all accounts,for their boat was chased by a submarine in the Bay of Biscay andescaped two torpedoes by a miracle."
"Horrible!"
"Kitty says she would not have missed the experience for anything; butJack declares the anxiety has taken ten years off his life."
"Dear old Jack! Where are they? I shall look them up."
"Staying with his people. They are in love with Kitty and can't makeenough of her."
"And what are your plans now that the war is over?"
"Brian expects to return to India, in which case, we go with him."
"You'll take the baby?"
"Most assuredly! Master Tommy is not going to be left behind by hisMummy--not on any account!"
"But the climate? I thought it does not agree with babies?"
"It agrees quite well; at least for the first few years. I am not sosure about it later on, but, 'sufficient unto the day is the evilthereof.' We'll begin to think about sending him home when he turnsseven. You see, we have the hills, and life is too short for unnecessarypartings."
"I am with you there! How are Mr. and Mrs. Bright?"
"As usual, thank you. Father retires after the New Year, and they willlive in Edinburgh. And what of your plans, Tommy?"
"I dare say I shall be back in the Police again, before long."
"And have you not found any one yet as a life-partner, to make Indiaworth while?" she asked kindly.
Tommy smiled. "I am in no hurry, being difficult to please. I shall haveto find the lady whose price, according to old Solomon, is 'far aboverubies,' or remain in single blessedness all my days."
"You'll find her right enough if you _know where_ to look, and _how_!"said Honor laughing. "Her natural element is the country home."
THE END.
_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_
The Reproof of Chance
The Blind Alley
The Daughter-in-Law
Baba and the Black Sheep
Sinners All
Mistress of Herself