Read TW06 The Khyber Connection NEW for Free Online Page B

next verse, laying into it with gusto, to the applause of the soldiers, who were unaccustomed to having their officers being so regular around them.
    "We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no
blackguards too.
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like
you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy
paints.
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into
plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Tommy, fall be'ind',
But it's 'Please to walk in front, sir,' when
there's trouble in the wind.
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's
trouble in the wind.
0 it's 'Please to walk in front, sir, when there's
trouble in the wind."
    The entire group was struck dumb with amazement when Andre chimed in with the final verse.
    "You talk 'o better food for us, an' schools, on' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove
it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's
disgrace."
    Delaney joined in with her on the chorus, and after a moment's disbelieving hesitation, the others did as well.
    "For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Chuck him out, the brute!'
But it's 'Savior of 'is country' when the guns
begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please,
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool, you bet that
Tommy sees!"
    " ‘Pon my soul, miss," said Mulvaney, rising to his feet along with the others, "that was a right proper finish to a right proper barracks song. An' it's the first time I ever 'card a lady sing so lustily since I was in the good ol' East End at Miss Violet McKenzie's—"
    "Tavern," Learoyd said very quickly. "She was a lovely singer, Miss McKenzie was. Warmed our hearts to hear her sing, it did."
    Mulvaney turned crimson and looked down at the floor. Ortheris pretended to have something caught in his throat.
    "I'm very flattered, gentlemen," said Andre, "to be compared to someone with so much ... warmth."
    Ortheris broke into a fit of coughing.
    "Do sit down, gentlemen," said Andre. "No need to stand on my account. And someone please give Private Ortheris a drink before he strangulates himself. Then someone can give me one, as well."
    "So how did your conference with the general go, Father?" Delaney said.
    "He attempted to induce me to change my mind," said Lucas, "but said I would be welcome to accompany the force if I was dead set on going."
    "Well, then, welcome to you, Father," said Mulvaney. "An' mind now, you boys watch your lips in the presence o' the clergy an' his lady!"
    "Somehow that didn't quite come out sounding right, Mulvaney." said Learoyd wryly.
    "Well, bleedin’ ‘Ell," Mulvaney said, "you know what I damn well mean!"
    Learoyd rolled his eyes.
    "Perhaps you gentlemen could be of some assistance,"
    Lucas said. "Where might I find a Hindustani attendant for myself and Miss Cross on the march?"
    Before anyone could reply, a thin, bedraggled young Hindu dressed in nothing save a dhoti and a turban leaped up from where he had been crouching in a dim corner like a dog and came running up to stand bowing before Lucas.
    "Father Sahib wishes
khawasin
? I am good
khawasin
! Work very hard! Very cheap! Serve very well! Take good care of Father Sahib and Memsahib!"
    "Well, it seems we have a volunteer." said Lucas.
    "You could do better than him, Father," said Learoyd. "He wouldn't be your best choice. He's an untouchable, you see. Outside the caste system. None of the other Hindus would have anythin' to do with him. Poor beggar wouldn't have any company on the march at all, no one to talk to."
    "He could talk to us," said Andre.
    "Any reason why we can't take him?" said Lucas.
    "The choice is yours, Father," said Learoyd.
    "Good. It's settled, then."
    The Hindu dropped to his knees and began kissing Lucas's boots, intermingling English thank-yous with a torrent of Hindi.
    "Come on now, up with you, Din!" said Mulvaney, hauling him to his feet. "That's no way to act before a