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Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936

"From Mine Own People"

It passes in three strides.
Capt. G. (Lowering voice.) It never passes with me, Jack. I'm always thinking
about it. Phil Gadsby funking a fall on parade! Sweet picture, isn't it! Draw
it for me.
Capt. M. (Gravely.) Heaven forbid! A man like you can't be as bad as that. A
fall is no nice thing, but one never gives it a thought.
Capt. G. Doesn't one? Wait till you've got a wife and a youngster of your own,
and then you'll know how the roar of the squadron behind you turns you cold all
up the back.
Capt. M. (Aside.) And this man led at Amdheran after Bagal Deasin went under,
and we were all mixed up together, and he came out of the snow dripping like a
butcher. (Aloud.) Skittles! The men can always open out, and you can always
pick your way more or less. We haven't the dust to bother us, as the men have,
and whoever heard of a horse stepping on a man?
Capt. G. Never--as long as he can see. But did they open out for poor
Errington?
Capt. M. Oh, this is childish!
Capt. G. I know it is, worse than that. I don't care. You've ridden Van Loo. Is
he the sort of brute to pick his way--'specially when we're coming up in column
of troop with any pace on?
Capt. M. Once in a Blue Moon do we gallop in column of troop, and then only to
save time.


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