Noon
He broke off with a laugh which made me feel sick . `` Could he get here in time , '' he asked after a pause , `` if you sent for him ? '' `` Yes , '' I replied , with my hand inside his soaked tunic . I found a wounded water-carrier -- a fellow with a stray bullet in his hand -- who volunteered to find Berlyng , and then I returned to Noon and told him what I had done . I knew that Berlyng could not come . He nodded , and I think he said , `` God bless you . '' `` I want to put something right , '' he said , after an effort ; `` I 've been a blackguard . ''