I ought to communicate with my father before actually
joining," he answered. "In fact, I had already
written home. That's one reason why I'm going to
get this wire off so early."

"I suppose you'll be at Sandhurst this time next
week?"

And he frowned, for the first time that morning.

"Oh no, I hope not! Mr. Robey heard last night
from one of our fellows -- one of those who passed
last time -- and he said he was being drafted at once
into a regiment! You mustn't forget how long I
was in the O.T.C. It seems they're sending all those
who were in the O.T.C. straight into regiments."

"Then by next week you'll be second lieutenant in
the Wessex Light Infantry!" she exclaimed. She
knew that it was in that famous regiment that General
Blake had won his early spurs, and that it had been
settled, in the days when no one had doubted Jervis
Blake's ability to pass the Army Exam., that he would
join his father's old regiment, now commanded by one
of that father's very few intimates.

"Yes, I suppose I shall," he said, flushing. "Oh,
Rose, I can't believe in my luck. It's so much -- much
too good to be true!"

They had come to the corner, to the parting of their
ways. To the left, through the grey stone gateway,
was the street leading into the town; on the right,
within a few moments' walk, the Cathedral.

Rose suddenly felt very much moved, carried out of
her reserved self. A lump rose to her throat. She
knew that this was their real parting, and that she
was not likely to see him again, save in the presence
of her mother for a few minutes.

[[113]]

p112 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p113w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p114

v?