"He was a most distinguished officer. I believe he received the
Medal of Honour for a part in the affair of the Molina del Rey."
"What command had he in the Civil War?" asked Orde. "I fooled
around the outskirts of that a little myself."
"My father resigned from the army in '54," replied Gerald, with his
cool, impersonal courtesy.
"That was too bad; just before the chance for more service," said
Orde.
"Army life was incompatible with my mother's temperament," stated
Gerald.
Orde said nothing more. It was Gerald's turn to end the pause.
"You are from Redding, of course," said he. "My sister is very
enthusiastic about the place. You are in business there?"
Orde replied briefly, but, forced by the direct, cold, and polite
cross-questioning of his companion, he gave the latter a succinct
idea of the sort of operations in which he was interested.
"And you," he said at last; "I suppose you're either a broker or
lawyer; most men are down here."
"I am neither one nor the other," stated Gerald. "I am possessed of
a sufficient income from a legacy to make business unnecessary."
"I don't believe I'd care to--be idle," said Orde vaguely.
"There is plenty to occupy one's time," replied Gerald.
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