BARKET.  Just afther the battle of Sayder Creek began, when the Colonel rode to the front to mate his raytrating rigiment—­

BUCKTHORN.  I’ll tell Old Margery to bring in tea for both of us, Barket.

BARKET.  For both of us, sur?

BUCKTHORN.  Yes; and later in the evening we’ll have something else, together.  This is a great day for all of us.  I’m not your commander to-day, but your old comrade in arms—­[Laying his arm over BARKET’S shoulder.]—­and I’m glad I don’t have to pull myself up now every time I forget my dignity.  Ah! you and I will be laid away before long, but we’ll be together again in the next world, won’t we, Barket?

BARKET.  Wid yer honour’s permission. [Saluting.

BUCKTHORN.  Ha—­ha—­ha! [Laughing.] If we do meet there I’m certain you’ll salute me as your superior officer.  There’s old Margery, now. [Looking to door.  Calls.] Margery!  Tea for two!

MARGERY. [Without.] The tay be waiting for ye, sur; and it be boilin’ over wid impatience.

BUCKTHORN.  Bring up a chair, Barket. [Sitting in arm-chair.

BARKET. [Having placed table and drawing up a chair.] Do you know, Gineral, I don’t fale quite aisy in my moind.  I’m not quite sure that Margery will let us take our tay together. [Sits down, doubtfully.

BUCKTHORN.  I hadn’t thought of that.  I—­[Glancing right.]—­I hope she will, Barket.  But, of course, if she won’t—­she’s been commander-in-chief of my household ever since Jenny was a baby.

BARKET.  At Fort Duncan, in Texas.

BUCKTHORN.  You and Old Margery never got along very well in those days; but I thought you had made it all up; she nursed you through your wound, last summer, and after the battle of Cedar Creek, also.

BARKET.  Yis, sur, bliss her kind heart, she’s been like a wife to me; and that’s the trouble.  A man’s wife is such an angel when he’s ill that he dreads to get well; good health is a misfortune to him.  Auld Margery and I have had anither misunderstanding.

BUCKTHORN.  I’ll do the best I can for both of us, Barket.  You were telling me about the battle of—­

BARKET.  Just afther the battle of Sayder Creek began, whin Colonel Wist rode to the front to mate his raytrating rigiment—­

Enter OLD MARGERY, tray, tea, &c.  She stops abruptly, looking at BARKET. He squirms in his chair. BUCKTHORN rises and stands with his back to the mantel. OLD MARGERY moves to the table, arranges things on it, glances at BARKET, then at BUCKTHORN, who looks up at ceiling, rubbing his chin, &c. OLD MARGERY takes up one of the cups, with saucer.

OLD MARGERY.  I misunderstood yer order, sur.  I see there’s no one here but yerself. [Going right.

BUCKTHORN.  Ah, Margery! [She stops.] Barket tells me that there has been a slight misunderstanding between you and him.