BarryhadthoughthercharminginherV。A。D。dress，butinheruniformshewasbewitching。Henoticedthatherhairclusteredintinyringletsabouthernattylittlecap，inquiteamaddeningway。
Onevagrantcurloverherearhadaparticularfascinationforhiseyes。Hefeltitoughttobetuckedinjustashade。Hewasconsciousofanalmostirresistibledesiretodothetuckingin。
Whatwouldhappenif——
\"Well，areyouready？\"inquiredthegirlinaquick，businessliketone。
\"What？Oh，yes，\"saidBarry，recalledtothebusinessofthemoment。
Duringthedrivethegirlgaveherwholeattentiontoherwheel，asindeedwasnecessary，fortheroadwasdangerouslyslippery，andshedrovewithoutlightsthroughtheblacknight。Barrykeptupanendlessstreamoftalk，setgoingbyhercommand，asshetookherplaceatthewheel。\"NowtellmeaboutCanada。Icanlisten，butIcan’ttalk。\"
Inthefulltideofhismosteloquentpassages，Barryfoundhimselfgrowingincoherentattimes，forhismindwasinastateofoscillationbetweenthewonderfulandlustrousqualitiesofthebrowneyesthatherememberedflashinguponhiminthelightofthefire，andthatmaddeninglittlecurloverthegirl’sear。
Inanunbelievablyshorttime，soitseemedtohim，theycameupontherearofamarchingcolumn。
\"Theseareyourmen，Ifancy，\"shesaid，\"andthiswillbeyourcampontheleft；Iknowitwell。I’veoftenbeenhere。\"
Sheswungthecarofftheroadintoanopenfield，setoutwithtents，andbroughtthecartoastopbesideanoldruinedfactory。
\"This，Ibelieve，willbethebestplaceforyourpurpose，\"shesaid，andsprangfromherseat，andrantotheruin，flashinghertorchlightbeforeher。\"Hereyouare，\"shesaid。\"Thiswillbejustthething。\"
Barryfollowedherafewstepsdownintothelong，stone—flaggedcellar。
\"Splendid！Thisistheverything，\"hecriedenthusiastically。
\"Youarereallythemostwonderfulperson。\"
\"Nowgetyourstuffinhere，\"sheordered。\"Butwhatwillyoudoforwood？Thereisalwayswater，\"sheadded，\"insometanksfurtheron。Come，I’llshowyou。\"
Barryfollowedheringrowingamazementandadmirationatherpromptefficiency。
\"Nowthen，thereareyourtanks，\"shesaid。\"Asforwood，Idon’tknowwhatyouwilldo，butthereisagardenpalingalittlefurtheron，and，ofcourse——\"
\"Don’tworryaboutthat，\"saidBarry。
\"Iwon’t，\"withagaylaugh；\"IknowyouCanadians，yousee。\"
Togethertheyreturnedtothecar。
BeforeshemountedtoherseatsheturnedtoBarry，andofferedhimherhandandsaid：\"Ithinkitisperfectlyrippingthatwewereintroducedinthisway。ThoughIdon’tknowyournameyet，\"sheaddedshyly。
\"Awfullystupidofme，\"saidBarry，andhegaveherhisname，addingthatoftheregiment，andhisrank。
\"Good—bye，then，\"shesaid，climbingintohercar，andstartingherengine。
\"But，\"saidBarry，\"Imustseeyousafelyback。\"
Shelaughedascornfulbut，asBarrythought，amostdeliciouslittlelaugh。
\"Nonsense！Wedon’tdothatsortofthinghere，youknow。We’reonourown。\"
Alittlesilencefellbetweenthem。
\"Whendoesyourbattalionmarch？\"sheaskedabruptly。
\"Perhapsto—morrow。Idon’tknow。\"
\"Ifyoudogothen，\"shesaid，withagainthatlittletouchofshyness，\"IsupposeIwon’tseeyouagain。\"
\"Seeyouagain，\"exclaimedBarry，histoneindicatingthatthepossibilityofsuchacalamitywasunthinkable，\"why，ofcourseI
shallseeyouagain。Imustseeyouagain——I——I——Ijustmustseeyouagain。\"
\"Goodnight，then，\"shesaidinasoft，hurriedvoice，throwinginherclutch。
Barrystoodlisteninginthedarktothehumofherengine，growingmorefainteverymoment。
\"Somegirl，eh？\"saidavoice。AthissidehesawHarryHobbs。
Barryturnedsharplyuponhim。
\"Nowthen，Hobbs，somewoodandwewillgetafiregoingandlooklively！And，Hobbs，Ibelievethere’safenceaboutfiftyyardsdownthere，whichyoumightfinduseful。Nowmove。Quick！\"
Unconsciouslyhetriedtoreproduce，inutteringthelastword，Duff’stoneandmanner。Theeffectwasevidentimmediately。
Hobbswithoutfurtherwordsdepartedinthedarkness。AgainBarrystoodlisteningtothehumoftheengine，untilhecouldnolongerhearitinthenoiseandconfusionofthecamp，butinhisheartHarry’swordsmademusic。
\"Somegirl，eh？\"
Ashestoodthereinthedarkness，hearingthatmusicinhisheart，avoicebrokein，swearinghardanddeepoaths。ItwastheM。O。
\"Hello，doc，myboy；comehere，\"criedBarry。
TheM。O。approached。Hewasinastateofragethatrenderedcoherentspeechimpossible。
\"Oh，quitit，doc。Letmeshowyousomething。\"
Heledhimintotheruin，wherehisspoilswerecached。
\"Biscuits，myboy，andcoffee。Holdon！Listen！I’mgoingtogetafiregoinghereandintwentyminutesthere’llbesixcansoffragrantdeliciouscoffee，boilinghot。\"
\"Why，howthe——\"
\"Doc，don’ttalk！Listentome！Youroundupyoursickmen，andbringthemquietlyoverhere。Idon’tknowhowmanyIcansupply，butatleast，Ithink，ahundred。\"
\"Why，howthedevil——？\"
\"Goon；Ihaven’ttimetotalktoyou。Getbusy！\"
Workingbyflashlight，themencutopenthetins，dumpedthebiscuitsonablanketspreadinacornerofthecellar，whileBarrymadepreparationsforafire。
\"Here，Hobbs，youpunchtwoholesinthesecans，justaninchfromthetop。\"
Soonthefirewasblazingcheerily。InitslightBarrywassearchingthroughtheruin。
\"ByJove，\"heshouted，\"theverything。Justmadeforus。\"
Hepulledoutalongsteelrodfromaheapofrubbishandranwithittothefire。
\"Here，boys，punchaholeinthiswall。Nowthen，forthecans。
Stringthemonthisrod。\"
Intwentyminutesthecoffeewasready。
\"Howisit？\"heinquiredanxiously，handingamesstinfulltooneofhismen。
Theboytastedit。
\"Likemothermade，\"hesaid，withagrin。\"Gee，butit’sgood。\"
Atthatmomentthedoctorappearedatthecellardoor。
\"Isay，oldchap，\"hesaid，\"therewillbeariothereinfifteenminutes。Thatcoffeesmellsthewholecamp。\"
\"Bring’emalong，doc。Thesickchapsfirst。ByJove，here’sthesergeantmajorhimself。\"
\"What’sallthis？\"inquiredthesergeantmajorinhisgruffestvoice。\"Who’sresponsibleforthisfire？\"
\"Coffee，sergeantmajor？\"answeredBarry，handinghimatinfull。
\"Butwhat——？\"
\"Drinkitfirst，sergeantmajor。\"
Thesergeantmajortookthemesstinandtastedthecoffee。
\"Well，thisISfine，\"hedeclared，\"andit’swhattheboyswant。
Butthisfireisagainstorders，sir。Ioughttohaveitputout。\"
\"Youwillhaveitputoutovermydeadbody，sergeantmajor，\"criedtheM。O。
\"Andmine，\"addedBarry。
\"Bygad，we’llchancethezeps，sir，\"saidthesergeantmajor。
\"Thisfreezin’rainwillkillmorementhanabomb。Bringinyourmen，sir，\"headdedtotheM。O。\"ButImustseetheO。C。\"
Thesergeantmajor’sdevotiontomilitarydisciplinewasstrugglinghardwithhishumanity，which，underhisruggedexterior，beatwarminhisheart。
\"WhybotherwiththeO。C。？\"saidtheM。D。
\"ButImustseehim，\"insistedthesergeantmajor。
Hehadnotfartogotoattainhispurpose。
\"Hello！Whatthedevilisthis？\"exclaimedaloudvoiceatthedoor。
\"Bygad，it’stheoldmanhimself，\"mutteredtheM。O。toBarry。
\"Nowlookoutforructions。\"
IncametheO。C。，followedbyabrasshat。Barrywentforwardwithasteamingtinofcoffee。
\"Sorryourchinahasn’tarrivedyet，sir，\"hesaidcheerfully，\"butthecoffeeisn’tbad，theboyssay。\"
\"Why，it’syou，Dunbar，\"saidthecolonel，peeringintohisface，andshakingtheraindropsfromhiscoat。\"Imighthaveguessedthatyou’dbeinit。Wherethere’sanytrouble，\"hecontinued，turningtothebrasshatathisside，\"youmaybequitesurethatthePilotortheM。O。herewillbeinit。ByJove，thiscoffeegoestotherightspot。Haveacup，major？\"hesaidasBarrybroughtasecondtin。
\"It’sagainstregulations，youknow，\"saidthemajor，takingthemesstingingerly。\"Firesarequiteforbidden。Airraids，andthatsortofthing，don’tyouknow。\"
\"Oh，hangitall，major，\"criedtheO。C。\"Thecoffeeisfine，andmymenwillbealotbetterforit。Thiscampofyours，anyway，isnoplaceforhumanbeings，andespeciallyformenstraightofftheboat。Asforme，I’mdevilishgladtogetthiscoffee。Givemeanothertin，Pilot。\"
\"It’squiteirregular，\"murmuredthemajor，stilldrinkinghiscoffee。\"It’squiteirregular！ButIseethedoorisfairlywellguardedagainstlight，andperhaps——\"
\"Ithinkwe’lljustcarryon，\"saidthecolonel。\"Ifthereisanytrouble，I’llassumetheresponsibilityforit。Thankyou，Pilot。
Justkeepguardonthelighthere，sergeantmajor。\"
\"Allright，sir。Verygood，sir，wewillhangupablanket。\"
Meanwhilethenewshadspreadthroughoutthecamp，andbeforemanyminuteshadpassedthecellarwasjammedwithacrowdofmenthatreachedthroughthedoorandoutintothenight。Thecrowdwasbecomingnoisyandtherewasdangerofconfusion。Thenthepilotclimbeduponaheapofrubbishandmadealittlespeech。
\"Men，\"hecalledout，\"thiscoffeeisintendedfirstofallforthesickmeninthisbattalion。Thosesickmenmustfirstbecaredfor。Afterthatweshalldistributethecoffeeasfarasitwillgo。Thereisplentyofwateroutside，andIthinkIhaveplentyofcoffee。Sergeantmajor，Isuggestthatyouroundupthesemeninsomesortoforder。\"
Afewsharpwordsofcommandfromthesergeantmajorbroughtorderoutofconfusion，andfortwohourstherefiledthroughthecellaracontinuousstreamofmen，eachbringinganemptymesstin，andcarryingitawayfullofhotandfragrantcoffee。
Bythetimethemenhadbeensuppliedtheofficerswerefinishedwiththeirduties，andhavinggotwordofthePilot’scoffeestall，camecrowdingin。Oneandalltheywerevociferousintheirpraiseofthechaplain，votinghima\"goodfellow\"anda\"life—saver\"ofthehighestorder。ButitwasfeltbyallthatCorporalThomexpressedthegeneralconsensusofopiniontohisfriendTimms。
\"ThatPilotofours，\"hedeclared，\"runsalittletothenarrowgauge，butinthatlastrounduphewastellingusaboutlastSundaytherewon’tbethegoatrunforhim。It’shimforthebaabaas，sureenough。\"
Andthoughinthevernacularthecorporal’swordsdidnotsoundquitereverent，itwasagreedthattheyexpressedinanentirelysatisfactorymannerthegeneralopinionofthebattalion。
Anhourlater，weariedashewas，Barrycrawledintohisicyblankets，butwithawarmerfeelinginhisheartthanhehadknownsincehejoinedthebattalion。Butbeforehehadgonetosleep，therecameintohismindathoughtthatbroughthimupwideawake。
Hehadquiteforgottenallabouthisdutyaschaplain。\"Whatachanceyouhadthere，\"insistedhischaplain’sconscience，\"forawordthatwouldreallyheartenyourmen。ThisistheirfirstnightinFrance。To—morrowtheymarchuptodangeranddeath。Whatachance！Andyoumissedit。\"
Barrywastoowearytodiscussthematterfurther，butashefellasleephesaidtohimself，\"Atanyrate，theboysarefeelingalotbetter，\"andinspiteofhissenseoffailure，thatthoughtbroughthimnosmallcomfort。
CHAPTERXI
THENEWMESSAGE
\"Ithink，\"saidBarry，totheM。O。，\"IreallyoughttoridedowntotheR。A。M。C。hospital，andtellthemhowtheboysenjoyedthecoffeelastnight。\"Hisfacewasslightlyflushed，buttheflushmighthavebeenduetothefactthathehadbeenbusilyengagedintyingupthethongsofhisbed—roll，anawkwardjobattimes。
\"Surething，\"agreedtheM。O。heartily。\"Indeedit’sabsolutelyessential，andsay，oldchap，youmighttellherhowIenjoyedmycoffee。Shewillbegladtohearaboutme。\"
Barryheavedhisbed—rollatthedoctoranddeparted。
AttheR。A。M。C。HospitaltheOfficerCommanding，towhomhehadsentinhiscard，gavehimacordialgreeting。
\"Iamgladtoknowyou，sir。Wehavequitealotofyourchapsherenowandthen，andfinefellowstheyseemtobe。Weexpectahospitaltrainthismorning，andIunderstandtherearesomeCanadiansamongthem。RatherabadgoafewdaysagoatSt。Eloi。
Heavycasualtylist。Clearingstationsallcrowded，andsotheyaresendingalotdowntheline。\"
\"Canadians？\"askedBarry，thinkingofhisfather。\"Youhavenotheardwhatunit，sir？\"
\"No，weonlygetthenumbersandthecharacterofthecasualtiesandthatsortofthing。Well，Imustbeoff。Wouldyoucaretolookaround？\"
\"Thankyou，no。Wearealsoonthemarch。Isimplycametotellyouhowverygreatlyourmenappreciatedyourhelplastnight。\"
\"Oh，that’sperfectlyallright。Gladthesergeanthadsenseenoughtodotherightthing。\"
Barryhesitated。
\"MayIsee——ah——thesergeant？\"
\"Thesergeant？Why，certainly，butit’snotnecessaryatall。\"
Thesergeantwascalledanddulythanked。TheR。A。M。C。officerwasobviouslyanxioustoberidofhisvisitorandtogetofftohisduty。
StillBarrylingered。
\"Therewasalsoayounglady，sir，lastnight，\"hesaidatlength。
\"Ayounglady？\"
\"SisterVincent，sir，\"interjectedthesergeant。\"Sheranthemuptothecampinhercar，sir。Theambulancesandcarswereallunderorders。\"
\"Ah！Ranyouuptothecamp，eh？\"
\"Yes，sheranusupwiththebiscuitsandcoffee。Itwasawfullykindofher。\"
\"Ah！——Um！——Verygood！Verygood！Sergeant，callher，\"saidtheO。C。abruptly。
\"I’mafraidshe’dbeasleepnow，sir。Shewasonnightduty，sir。\"
\"Oh，then，\"saidBarry，\"pleasedon’tdisturbher。Iwouldn’tthinkofit。Ifyouwillbekindenough，sir，toconveythethanksofthemenandofmyselftoher。\"
\"Surely，surely！Well，Ireallymustbegoing。Goodbye！Goodluck！\"
Heturnedtohismotorcar。\"Iwon’tforget，sir，\"hesaidtoBarry。\"Oh，I’llbesuretotellher，\"headdedwithasignificantsmile。
AsBarrywasmountinghishorse，thestrainsofthebattalionbandwereheardfloatingdownthestreet。Hedrewuphishorsebesidetheentranceandwaited。Downthewindinghilltheycame，tall，lean，hard—lookingmen，stridingwiththefree，easyswingofthemenofthefoothills。Barryfelthisheartfillwithprideinhiscomrades。
\"ByJove，\"hesaidtohimself，\"theboysareallright。\"
\"Finebodyofmen，sir，\"saidthesergeant，whowithhiscomradeshadgatheredaboutthegateway。
\"Nottoobad，eh，sergeant？\"saidBarry，withmodestpride。
\"Sir，\"saidthesergeantinalowvoice，\"theyoungladyisupatthewindowtoyourleft。\"
\"Sergeant，you’reabrick！Thankyou，\"saidBarry。Heturnedinhissaddle，andsawabovehimawindowfilledwithsmilingnurseslookingdownatthemarchingcolumn，andamongthemhisfriendofthenightbefore。Herfacewasturnedawayfromhim，andhereyeswereuponthecolumn，eagerlysearchingtheranksofthemarchingmen。
\"Sergeant，\"saidBarry，\"yourCommandingOfficerisaverybusyman，andhasagreatmanythingstooccupyhisattention。Don’tyouthinkitisquitepossiblethatthatmessageofminemightescapehismemory，anddon’tyouthinkitwouldbereallymoresatisfactoryifIcoulddeliverthatmessageinperson？\"
Thesergeanttiltedhishatoveroneeye，andscratchedhishead。
\"Well，sir，theCommandingOfficerdoes’avealotofthingstothinkabout，andthoughhedoesn’toftenforget，hemight。
Besides，Ireallythinktheyoungladywouldliketoknowjusthowthecoffeewent。\"
\"Sergeant，youareamanofdiscernment。I’lljustwaithereuntilthebattalionpasses。\"
Hemovedhishorseafewstepsoutfromthegateway，andswunghimaroundsothathestoodfacingthewindow。ThemovementcaughttheattentionoftheV。A。D。inthewindow。Sheglanceddown，sawhim，and，leaningfarout，wavedherhandineagergreetingandwithasmileofwarmfriendliness。
Hehadonlytimetowavehishandinreply，whentheheadofthecolumndrewoppositethegateway，forcinghimtoturnhisbacktothewindowandstandatsalute。
TheCommandingOfficeracknowledgedthesalute，glancedupatthewindow，wavedhishandtothegroupofnursestheregathered，thenglancedbackatBarry，withasmilefullofmeaning，androdeon。
Afterthebandhadpassedtheentrance，itceasedplaying，andthemen，catchingsightofBarryandthesmilinggroupatthewindowabovehim，brokesoftlyintoarathersuggestivemusichallditty，atthattimepopularwiththesoldiers：
\"Hello！Hello！Who’syourladyfriend；
Who’sthelittleblossombyyourside；
Isawyou，withagirlortwo，Oh！Oh！Oh！Oh！I’msurprisedatyou。\"
Downthelengthofthecolumntherefrainpassed，graduallygaininginstrengthandvolume，untilbythetimetherearcameoppositetheentrance，themenwereshoutingwithwideopenthroats：
\"Oh！Oh！Oh！Oh！I’msurprisedatyou，\"
withagrowingemphasisandmeaninguponeverysuccessive\"Oh！\"
Barry’sfacewasaflameandhishearthotwithfuriousindignation。
Shewasnotthatkindofagirl。Shewouldbehumiliatedbeforeherassociates。Heglancedupatthewindowbutshewasgone。ThebattalionmarchedonbutBarrystillremained，hiseyesfollowingtheswingingcolumn，hisfacestillflaming，andhishearthotwithindignation。
\"Goodmorning，CaptainDunbar！\"
Heswungoffhishorse，andtheresmilingathimwithwarmfriendlinesswasthelittleV。A。D。
\"I’mawfullysorry，\"beganBarry，thinkingoftheimpudentsongofhiscomrades。\"ImeanI’mverygladtoseeyou。Ijustranintotellyouhowsplendidlythecoffeewentlastnight。Thereareahundredfellowsmarchingalongtherethatarefineandfitjustbecauseofyourkindness，andI’mheretogiveyoutheirthanks。\"
Barryfeltthathewascuttingaratherpoorfigure。Hiswordscamehaltinglyandstumblingly。Thesuggestivemusichalldittywasstillinhismind。
\"Whatasplendidbandyouhave，\"shesaid，\"andhowsplendidlythemensing。\"
\"Sing！\"criedBarryindignantly。\"Oh，yes，theydosingratherwell，don’tthey？\"headded，greatlyrelieved。\"Ihaveonlyaminute，\"headdedhurriedly，\"butIwantedtoseeyouagain，andI
wonderifImaydropyoualittlenotenowandthen，justto——well，hangitall——justtokeepintouchwithyou。Idon’twantyoutoquiteforgetme。\"
\"Oh，Iwon’tforgetyou，\"shesaid。Thebrowneyeslookedstraightathim。\"Yousee，afterall，myuncleknowsyousowell。Indeed，hetoldmeaboutyou。Yousee，wereallyarefriends，inaway，aren’twe？\"
\"Weareindeed，andyouareawfullygood。Goodbye！\"
\"Goodbye，\"shesaid，\"andifIleaveheresoon，Ipromisetoletyouknow。\"
AndBarryrodeaway，hisheartinsuchaturmoilashehadneverknown。Inhisearslingeredthemusicofthatsoftvoice，andhiseyessawabewilderingcomplexityofdancingringletsandlustrousglances，untilhedrewupattherearofthecolumnandfoundhimselfridingoncemorebesidehisfriend，theM。O。
\"Congratulations，oldman，\"saidthedoctor。\"She’sablossom，allright。Cheerup；youmayfindherbendingoveryourwhitefacesomeday，holdingyourhand，orsmoothingyourbrow，intheapprovedV。A。D。manner。\"
\"Oh，shutup，doc，\"saidBarrywithquiteunusualcurtness。\"She’snotthatkindofagirl。\"
\"Ah，whoknows！\"saidthedoctor。\"Whoknows！\"
Attherailwaystation，thebattalionwashalted，awaitingthemakingupoftheirtrain，thedepartureofwhichwasdelayedbytheincominghospitaltrainfromuptheline。Theyhadnotlongtowait。
\"Heresheis，boys！\"calledoutasoldier。Andintothestationslowlyrolledthathospitaltrain，withitsfreightofwoundedmen，mutilated，maimed，broken。Itswindowswerecrowdedwithfaces，whiteastheirswathings，worn，spent，deep—lined，fromwhichlookedfortheyes，indifferent，staring，butundauntedandindomitable。
Gradually，withstatelymovement，asbefitteditsnobleburden，thetraincametorestimmediatelyoppositethebattalion。Withgrave，fascinated，horror—strickenfacesthemenofthebattalionstoodrigidandvoicelessgazingatthatdeeplymovingspectacle。Beforetheireyeswerebeingparadedthetragic，patheticremnantsofagallantregiment，whichbutafewweeksbeforehadstoodwheretheynowstood，vitalwithlife，tinglingwithcourage。Attheircountry’sbiddingtheyhadascendedthatHolyMountofSacrifice，toofferuponthealtaroftheworld’sfreedomtheirbodiesasalivingsacrificeuntoGod，holyandacceptable。Now，theirofferingbeingmade，theywerebeingbornebackhelpless，bruised，shatteredbutunconqueredandeternallyglorious。
Silentlythetwocompaniesgazedateachotheracrosstheinterveningspace。Thenfromthewindowofthetrainasoldierthrustabandagedheadandbandagedarm。
\"Hellothere，Canada！\"hecried，wavingthearm。Instantly，asifhehadtouchedahiddenspring，fromthebattalion’sthousandthroatstherebrokearoarofcheersthatseemedtorocktheraftersofthestationbuilding。
Again，again，andyetagain！Asiftheycouldneverexhausttheburdenoftheirswellingemotions，theyroaredforththeircheers，wavingcapsandrifleshighintheair，whiledowntheircheekspoured，unheededandunhindered，arainoftears。
\"Canada！Canada！Canada！\"theycried。\"Oh，youCanadians！
Alberta！Alberta！\"
Feeblycametheansweringcheers，awkwardlywavedthebandagedhandsandarms。
Thenthebattalionbrokeranksandflingingriflesandkitbagstotheground，theyrushedacrossthetracks，eagertobringtheirtributeofprideandlovetotheirbrothersfromtheirowncountry，faracrossthesea。
\"Malcolm！Hello，Malcolm！\"criedavoicefromawindowofthetrain，asthenoisehadsomewhatsubsided。\"Hey，Malcolm，hereyouare！\"criedawoundedman，raisinghimselffromhiscottothewindow。
MalcolmInnesturned，scannedthetrain，thenrushedacrossthetrackstothewindowandclungfasttoit。
Itwashisbrother，Ewen。
\"Isityourself，Ewen，andareyouhurtedbad？\"criedtheboy，allunconsciousofhisbreakingvoiceandfallingtears。Theyclungtogetherforsomelittletimeinsilence。
\"Areyoumuchhurted，Ewen？TellmetheGod’struth，\"againsaidMalcolm。
\"Notmuch，\"saidEwen。\"Trueasdeath，I’mtellin’you。Myarmisbroke，that’sall。Wehadabadtimeofit，but，man，wegavethemhell，youbet。Oh，itwasgreat！\"
Thenagainthesilencefellbetweenthem。Thereseemedtobenothingtosay。
\"Here，standbackthere！Youmustgetback，youknow，men！\"
AnN。C。O。oftheR。A。M。C。triedtopushMalcolmbackfromthewindow。
\"Here，yougotohell，\"criedMalcolmfiercely。\"It’smybrotherI’vegot。\"
TheN。C。O。，widelyexperiencedinthesetragicscenes，hesitatedamoment。Anofficer，comingupbehindhim，withasingleglancetookinthesituation。
\"Myboy，\"hesaidkindly，placinghishandonMalcolm’sarm，\"wewanttogetthesepoorchapsassoonaspossiblewheretheywillbecomfortable。\"
Malcolmsprangbackatonce，saluting。
\"Yes，sir，\"hesaid。\"Certainly，sir。\"Andbackingacrossthetracks，stoodlookingacrossatthewindowfromwhichhisbrother，weariedwithhiseffort，haddisappeared。
MeantimetheR。A。M。C。werebusywiththeirwork。Withmarvellousrapidityandspeedthetrainwasunloadedofitspatheticfreight，thecarryingcasesintoambulancesandthewalkingcasesintocarsandwagons。
\"Good—bye，Mac，\"calledavoiceasacarwasdrivingoff。ItwasEwenagain。Thewoundedmanspoketothedriver，whoimmediatelypulledupandswungovertotheplatformwhereMalcolmwasstanding。
\"Oh，areyousure，Ewen，youaregoin’tobeallright？Man，youlookawfulwhite。\"
\"Allright，Mac。YoubetIwill。It’sonlymyarm，\"saidEwen，hisbrave，brightwordsinpatheticcontrasttohiswhiteface。
AtthispointBarrycamerushingalong。
\"Why，Ewen！Mypoorfellow！\"hecried，throwinghisarmaboutthewoundedman’sshoulder。\"Whatisit？\"
\"Myarm，sir，\"saidtheboy，addingsomewordsinalowtone。\"ButI’mallright，\"hesaidbrightly。\"You’llwritemymother，sir，andtellher？You’llknowwhattosay。\"