I haven't been out the last few days. I didn't feel I
could leave home for even five minutes. I've been
on tenterhooks -- in fact it will take me two or three
days to get fit again. You see, I couldn't say anything
to anybody! And one heard such absurd rumours --
rumours that the Government didn't mean to send any
troops to the Continent -- that they had been caught
napping -- that the transport arrangements had broken
down, and so on. However, it's all right now! I report
myself tonight; rejoin my old regiment tomorrow;
and -- well, in three or four days, please God, I shall
be in France, and in a week at latest in Belgium."

Mrs. Otway looked at him silently. She was too
much surprised to speak. She felt moved, oppressed,
excited. A British Army going to France -- to Belgium?
It seemed incredible!

And Major Guthrie also felt moved and excited,
but _he_ was not oppressed -- he was triumphant, overjoyed.
"I thought you'd understand," he said, and
there was a little break in his voice. "It's made me
feel a young man again -- that's what it's done!"

"How does your mother take it?" asked Mrs. Otway
slowly.

And then for the first time a troubled look came
over his kind, honest face. "I haven't told my
mother," he answered. "I've thought a good deal
about it; and I don't mean to say good-bye to her --
I shall simply write her a note saying I've had to go
up to town on business. She'll have it when I'm
gone. Then, when the news is allowed to be made
public, I'll write and tell her the truth. She felt my
going to South Africa so much. You see, the man

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