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“No, you should not.”
“Why?”
“Because you are presently happy.”
That comment finally broke Sir Lionel’s reserve, and he turned towards the mantel, laughing with glee.
Baines liked Thomas. The young man possessed all the enthusiasm Baines remembered having before experience had taught him that military glory involved an astonishing amount of waiting, discomfort and following orders.
Cranford handed him a cue. “You play Ashcombe. He has won three games and become unbearable.”
“I merely suggested a handicap,” Sir George said. “You may ask anyone.”
Baines moved to the table and accepted a cue. “Then I shall perform a public service.”
Baines had learned enough about the assembled company to know that deliberate incompetence was no longer necessary, although winning too easily remained undesirable. He therefore played honestly for the first several strokes, which alarmed Edward.
“You have improved.”
“I was always excellent.”
“You missed six shots yesterday.”
“Deception, I assure you.”
“You swore at the fourth.”
“Convincing deception, I agree.”
Thomas stared. “You lost deliberately?”
Cranford snorted. “Do not encourage him. Soldiers attribute strategy to every mistake after the event.”
“A proven military strategy,” Baines agreed.
Conversation wandered exactly where he wanted it to without any effort from him.
“Has there been any news from the village?”
Baines positioned himself and struck his object ball before answering. “Indeed. There are rumours of a strike.”
“I received similar reports from Edinburgh,” Sir Lionel remarked.
“The movement will collapse within days once men become hungry enough,” Cranford insisted.
Baines lined up a shot. “They are already hungry.”
Cranford glanced at him. “That is precisely why they cannot afford a prolonged strike.”
Sir George frowned. “You are assuming hunger makes men obedient. History suggests it sometimes has the opposite effect.”
“History was written by gentlemen who had servants,” Cranford replied.
“Said the frying pan to the kettle,” Sir George retorted.
“Don Quixote, I believe? An excellent perspective there. It is one of our campaign favourites,” Baines added.
Thomas laughed.
