"
Colonel Grand and David were sauntering off in the direction of the
animal tent.
"Why ain't that loafer in the parade where he belongs?" demanded
Braddock, glaring red-eyed at the retreating David.
"How should I know? Ask Colonel Grand. He appears to be giving
directions nowadays," said his wife bitterly.
"Well, what do you want of me? Let's have it, please. I'm busy."
"Not out here, Tom. Come over to the cook-tent."
Braddock glanced at her sharply. It occurred to him that she was
unusually calm and serious. He turned after a moment and led the way
to the cook-tent, which was always unoccupied at this time.
There, in sullen amazement, he listened to the plea of his wife and
daughter. He raged back at them as they pleaded; he met Mary's calm,
patient arguments with sneers and brutal laughter; he put a stop to
Christine's supplications with an oath that shocked and distressed her
more than anything that ever had happened to her in all her life.
"What do you take me for?" he roared, time and again, for want of
better weapons to meet his wife's determined assault. In the end, he
struck the table a mighty blow with his clenched fist, but he was very
careful to have the table between them.
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