‘Och, I understand, sir,’ McKenzie said in a subdued voice, his huge shoulders hunched, his eyes cast down. ‘Ye must follow the rules and have a regiment of native servants now. Wouldna do for ye to have anythin’ less. Wouldna do at all.’ ‘Don't look as if I have put a knife in your back, man. You knew you would have to return to the ranks one day.’ ‘Aye, and I'm happy to be goin' back to ma comrades at last, sir,’ sang McKenzie in a shaky voice, on the verge of tears. `I canna wait.’ ‘Here, this is for you.’ McKenzie glanced down at the money and shook his head. ‘Nae, sir. It was a pleasure to serve ye. Ye've been good to me in the past, aye, good enough.’ ‘Take the money,’ Lachlan insisted. ‘It's simply a month's extra pay in gratuity, and customary for it to be given. It would cause me great dishonour if it was known that I dismissed my aide without even a rupee in gratitude.’ ‘Och, aweel, if it's a matter of honour...’ McKenzie hesitantly took the money and then looked at Lachlan with the genuine loyalty of a devoted dog.
