The great rule of headquarters

Two staff infants were within, Addiscombe all over ’em.
      “Hollo, my sons!” cries I cheerily, with my head splitting. “I’m Flashman. Not a bit of it, sit down, sit down! Don’t tell me you haven’t learned the great headquarters rule yet!”
      “They looked at each other, blushing and respectful in the presence of the celebrated beau sabreur. “No sir,” says one, nervously. “What’s that?”
      “Hark’ee, my boy. If bread is the staff of life, what is the life of staff?”
      “Dunno, sir,” says he, grinning.
      “One long loaf,” says I, winking. “So take your ease, and tell me where’s Sir Hope Grant


Flashman and the Dragon, p.157, Fontana Paperback edition, 1986.



Tags: Flashman, Flashman quotes, staff.