so strange, but, my dear, so very happy too! My
husband says that they probably show the wounded
officers a list of hospitals, and perhaps give them a
certain measure of choice."

They did not say much during the short drive to
the Close; they simply held each other's hands. And
Rose's feeling of indignation against Jervis's father
grew and grew. How could he be impatient, still
less unkind, to this sweet, gentle woman?

There followed a time of anxious waiting at the
Trellis House, and, reluctantly, Rose began to understand
why Sir John Blake was impatient with his wife.
Lady Blake could not sit still; and she made no effort
to command her nerves. In her gentle voice she suggested
every painful possibility, from the torpedoing
of the hospital ship in the Channel to a bad break
down, or even a worse accident, to the motor ambulances
which were to convey Jervis and four other
wounded officers to Witanbury.

But at last, when even Sir Jacques himself had quite
given them up for that night, three motor ambulances
drove into the Close, and round to the temporary
hospital.

And then such a curious, pathetic scene took place
in the courtyard of "Robey's." Improvised flares and
two electric reading-lamps, brought hurriedly through
the windows of the drawing-room, shone on the group
of waiting people -- nurses ready to step forward when
wanted; Sir Jacques Robey and a young surgeon who
had come up from the Witanbury Cottage Hospital;
Lady Blake trembling with cold and excitement close
to Mrs. Otway and Rose; and a number of others who
had less reason and excuse for being there.

[[244]]

p243 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p244w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p245

v?