Yet, possibly, I had
small cause to grumble; for my own gold leaves had dropped upon me in
Cuba, to the disadvantage of many who were my elders, and, doubtless,
my betters as well. I had applied for active service, but evidently it
had not met with approval, for my original orders to report to the
Chief of Engineers were still unchanged.
The half dozen "regulars," lounging on the big leather chairs before
the fireplace in the Club reception-room, waiting for the dinner hour,
gave me the usual familiar yet half indifferent greeting, as I took my
place among them and lit a cigar.
"Mighty sorry we're to lose you, Major," said Marmont. "Dinner won't
seem quite right with your chair vacant."
"I'll come back occasionally to fill it," I answered. "Meanwhile there
are cards awaiting all of you at the Metropolitan or the Army and Navy."
"Then you don't look for an early assignment to the White Elephant
across the Pacific?" inquired Courtney.
"Good Lord!" exclaimed Hastings, "did you apply for the Philippines?"
"What ails them?" I asked.
"Everything--particularly Chaffee's notion that white uniforms don't
suit the climate?"
I shrugged my shoulders.
"Is that a criticism of your superior officer?" Marmont demanded.
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