Parse Error for Function in []

I have been getting parse errors with lines like

orphans = [get (0, "orphans"), h];

The error comes on the first double quote.  I've been working around by 
just assigning the value of the result to a variable then doing the 
concatenation.

This is in 2.9.5 that I compiled in cygwin on XP.

Bill

-- 
"... doing legal research is by far the most fun and creative part of
the law, from my perspective. It's like playing jazz."
   -- Pamela Jones,
      http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20041018201653648