"Mother, I've got something to tell you."
She knew immediately what it was.
"You're going to South Africa."
"Yes. I'm in the Gazette this morning. I thought you'd all have seen it."
"They went out to golf without reading the papers," she said, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "What regiment, darling?"
"Rifle brigade."
"Are you pleased?"
"Pleased to be a rifleman? Mother, of course I am!"
"I'm glad you're pleased about it, darling. I'm glad you've got what you wanted."