"Be reasonable, you fellows" protests Raymond, going on to add, "I know exactly how you feel, but war isn't a personal matter."
To which Algy, being Algy and all sorts of amazing, comes right back with,
"You didn't take that view when you were trying to rescue the princess," returned Algy shortly. "Frankly, I don't care two hoots about her, because I've never seen her and I'm never likely to; but Biggles happens to be my best friend. Apart from which, he is one of the most valuable officers in the service. Surely it is worth going to some trouble to try to get him back--or at least, find out what happened to him?"
--Biggles Fails to Return
Oh - wonderful Algy! You bet he would have gone anyway!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be great if we all had someone like Algy sticking up for us and looking out for us like that...? (sigh...)
Oh yes, he'd have gone anyway! By that time, he had got annoyed!
ReplyDeleteYou are right. He had got annoyed.
ReplyDeleteGone is his earlier hesitation when speaking to Ginger: "...it's against orders to go direct to the Air Ministry - you know that. ... You go on like this and we shall all finish under close arrest."
As more senior than Bertie and Ginger, to say nothing of being Biggles' best friend since 1917, Algy rightly takes charge in the interview with Raymond.
Please note Soppy - BEST FRIEND SINCE 1917... I hope you are writing Jane out and Biggles and Algy friends again...
Yes, SA, Algy had spoken hesitantly earlier, but then he was still assimilating the note putting him in charge of 666 and was still in shock. By the time he was in Raymond's office, he got good and mad:-)
ReplyDeleteAlgy's reaction to the official communication, his hands trembling, his face pale, reminds me of Biggles' reaction in Flies East when he thinks his gunner has shot down Algy and killed him. Shock - oblivious to and uncaring of anything else.
ReplyDeleteI was always struck by a couple of lines in 'Biggles in the Baltic' where Algy has returned to the secret base after he thinks Biggles has been killed. He isn't talking about Biggles- in fact he has just issued some orders - but both Briny and Smyth watch him in embarrassed silence as he lights a cigarrette and unfastens his flying helmet. There must have been a lot of raw emotion on his face to make them uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteIt is very clear that both Biggles and Algy care about each other a lot.(Soppy - please pay attention:
They care about each other A LOT!)
I hope Biggles has got some sticky tape at hand to mend that smashed photograph. He's going to regeret that action soon ....at least I hope he will...he better had....
I wonder why people keep telling me about Biggles and Algy's friendship as if I don't already know about it...I mean, I have read the books, you know :P
ReplyDeleteI think by the time Algy got to Raymond he was angry and in flower-bombing mode. It's a good thing Raymond did say yes or there would be a big hole in his office!