I want some new incidents , and shall book all I can get , if I may . '' Here Randal was interrupted by Saul himself , who came in with an armful of wood for the fire . `` Anything more I can do for you , cousin ? '' he asked , surveying the scene with a rather wistful look . `` Only come and sit with us and talk over war times with Mr. Randal . '' `` When I 've foddered the cattle and done my chores I 'd be pleased to . What regiment were you in ? '' asked Saul , looking down from his lofty height upon the slender gentleman , who answered briefly , -- `` In none . I was abroad at the time . '' `` Sick ? '' `` No , busy with a novel . '' `` Took four years to write it ? '' `` I was obliged to travel and study before I could finish it . These things take more time to work up than outsiders would believe . '' `` Seems to me our war was a finer story than any you could find in Europe , and the best way to study it would be to fight it out . If you want heroes and heroines you 'd have found plenty of 'em there . '' `` I have no doubt of it , and shall be glad to atone for my seeming neglect of them by hearing about your own exploits . Major . '' Randal hoped to turn the conversation gracefully , but Saul was not to be caught , and left the room , saying , with a gleam of fun in his eye , -- `` I ca n't stop now ; heroes can wait , pigs ca n't . '' The girls laughed at this sudden descent from the sublime to the ridiculous , and Randal joined them , feeling his condescension had not been unobserved .
As if drawn by the merry sound Aunt Plumy appeared , and being established in the rocking-chair fell to talking as easily as if she had known her guests for XXXXX .
Europe Randal Saul Sick exploits fire heroines left war years