He brought it down to that very day, for he ended with the
news of Lieutenant Sutch's departure for Suakin. General Feversham heard
the whole account without an interruption, without even stirring in his
chair. Durrance could not tell in what spirit he listened, but he drew
some comfort from the fact that he did listen and without argument.
For some while after Durrance had finished, the general sat silent. He
raised his hand to his forehead and shaded his eyes as though the man
who had spoken could see, and thus he remained. Even when he did speak,
he did not take his hand away. Pride forbade him to show to those
portraits on the walls that he was capable even of so natural a weakness
as joy at the reconquest of honour by his son.
"What I don't understand," he said slowly, "is why Harry ever resigned
his commission. I could not understand it before; I understand it even
less now since you have told me of his great bravery. It is one of the
queer inexplicable things. They happen, and there's all that can be
said. But I am very glad that you compelled me to listen to you,
Durrance."
"I did it with a definite object. It is for you to say, of course, but
for my part I do not see why Harry should not come home and enter in
again to all that he lost.
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