Greenmantle - John Buchan

accustomed to the darkness.
At first we made good going along the straight, broad highway lined with
woods on one side and on the other snowy fields melting into haze. Then he
began to talk, and, as he talked, he slowed down. This by no means suited my
book, and I seriously wondered whether I should pitch him out and take charge
of the thing. He was obviously a weakling, left behind in the conscription, and I
could have done it with one hand. But by a fortunate chance I left him alone.
'That is a fine hat of yours, mein Herr,' he said. He took off his own blue
peaked cap, the uniform, I suppose, of the driver of the post-wagon, and laid it
on his knee. The night air ruffled a shock of tow-coloured hair.
Then he calmly took my hat and clapped it on his head.
'With this thing I should be a gentleman,' he said.
I said nothing, but put on his cap and waited.
'That is a noble overcoat, mein Herr,' he went on. 'It goes well with the hat. It
is the kind of garment I have always desired to own. In two days it will be the
holy Christmas, when gifts are given. Would that the good God sent me such a
coat as yours!'
'You can try it on to see how it looks,' I said good-humouredly.
He stopped the car with a jerk, and pulled off his blue coat. The exchange
was soon effected. He was about my height, and my ulster fitted not so badly. I
put on his overcoat, which had a big collar that buttoned round the neck.
The idiot preened himself like a girl. Drink and vanity had primed him for
any folly. He drove so carelessly for a bit that he nearly put us into a ditch. We
passed several cottages and at the last he slowed down.
'A friend of mine lives here,' he announced. 'Gertrud would like to see me in
the fine clothes which the most amiable Herr has given me. Wait for me, I will
not be long.' And he scrambled out of the car and lurched into the little garden.
I took his place and moved very slowly forward. I heard the door open and
the sound of laughing and loud voices. Then it shut, and looking back I saw that