The Dash for Khartoum | Page 8

I put them on that they were
both ours, and then I thought it was not worth while changing again just
as the child had got quiet and comfortable. Then when I found what
had happened in the morning, I had to make some excuse or other, and
that occurred to me as the best. When I came back I did put them all
into the wash-tub, clean and dirty, in case any one should come here to
see about them. What harm was there in that, I should like to know?"
"You have acknowledged you have told one lie over it; after that you
may say what you like, but you need not expect me to believe you."
"Well, why don't you go at once and tell them that you believe that I
changed the children on purpose?"
"Because in the first place I cannot prove it, and because in the second
case you are my wife, Jane. I took you for better or worse, and
whatever you have done it is not for me to round on you. Anyhow, I
will do all I can to set this matter straight, and the only way that I see it
can be set straight is by doing as Captain Clinton says--by letting him
have the two children until they grow up, and then see which of the two
is like them and which is like us. What do you want done? I suppose
you don't want to have the care of them both. I suppose you don't want

to get paid for letting them keep them both, and to have every man and
woman in the regiment asking the question, Who sold their child? What
is it you do want?"
"I want to go as their nurse."
"Well, then, you cannot do it. It is evident that Mrs. Clinton hates the
sight of you, and no wonder; and she won't have you at any price. You
had best be contented with what you have got."
"What have I got?" she asked sullenly.
"Well, you have got the trouble of the child off your hands, you have
got the knowledge that it will be well taken care of and provided for
and made a gentleman of. That ought to be a satisfaction to you
anyhow."
"What is that when we might make a nice little fortune out of it?"
"I can see no way of making a fortune," he said, "unless you do know
which is which, and offer to tell them if they will pay you for it. In
which case, instead of making a fortune you would be likely to find
yourself inside a prison for years--and serve you right."
The woman was silent for some time, then she said, "Very well, then, I
will agree to their terms; but mind you, I will make money out of it
yet." And so Sergeant Humphreys went across to Captain Clinton's
bungalow and told him that his wife agreed to give up both children.
"It is by far the best thing for the little chap whichever he may be, and
you will be able to do a deal more for him than I ever could. My wife
did not quite see the matter at first, but she has come round to my way
of thinking. No, sir, we do not want to be paid," as Captain Clinton was
about to speak; "as long as I am fit for service we want nothing. Some
day, perhaps, when I get past service I may ask you to give me a job as
a lodge-keeper or some such post, where I can earn my living."
And so the matter was settled. One of the other officers' wives had

already lent her ayah to take care of the children until one could be
found for them.
The ready manner in which Sergeant Humphreys had done the only
thing in his power to obviate the effects of his wife's carelessness
restored him at once to the good opinion of his fellow sergeants and the
men, as it was generally allowed that he had done the right thing, and
that no one could do more. Opinion, however, was less favourable as to
his wife. It was soon evident to all who lived in the non-commissioned
officers' quarters that things were not going on well between Sergeant
Humphreys and his wife. There were frequent and violent quarrels. The
sergeant was often down at the canteen drinking more than was good
for him.
One day Captain Clinton sent for him. "Sergeant, I am sorry to say that
I hear from the sergeant-major that you were drunk last night, and that
you have several times been the worse for liquor. It is not a formal
complaint, but I thought it better to