u think the man said to that?" he asked his new friend. "He said," he hurried on, "'I don't think I'll send it. You see, I allow her four thousand a year as it is.'"
The raconteur laughed loudly and leaned back with the satisfaction--or at least some of it--of one who has told a funny story and told it well.
But the other did not laugh at all. His face remained the dull thing it was.
"You see," said the story-teller, explaining the point, "there are all sorts in the Army now, and this man was a toff. He was so rich that he could afford to allow his wife four thousand pounds a year. Four thousand pounds! Do you see?"
"Oh, yes, I see that. He must have been very rich. Why was he just a private?"
"I don't know."
"Funny being a private with all that money. I wonder you didn't ask him."
"I didn't, anyway. But you see the point now. No end of a joke for the quartermaster to try and get a man who allowed his wife four thousand a year to deduct sixpence a week
