"He was home last week, missie—his good-bye visit it was. He'll be off almost immediately—to the Dardanelles, I expect. We—his mother and I—felt saying good-bye to him—he being our only one."
"Yes, of course you did," Josephine answered, "I—oh, I know just how you felt! But I'm sure you didn't want to keep him at home!"
"No, no! We wouldn't like our boy to be out of the battle when it's one for right against might. Whether he comes back to us or not we shall know he's done his duty, and that's the great thing."
Arrived at Midbury, the young people went direct to the post office, where the telegram to Captain Basset was dispatched. On leaving there Josephine said—
"Do you think it's too early for us to call on Miss Cummings and her mother? I know they would be glad to hear when father's coming."
"It is rather early," May answered, "but we need not go in if they're busy."
Early as it was, Mrs. Cummings had already gone to the hospital. But her daughter was at home and pleased to see the bright faces which smiled at her when, in response to a vigorous rat-tat given by Donald, she opened the door. She insisted her visitors should come in; and in the sitting-room they found a little pale-faced Belgian girl, of about eight years of age, who looked at them with shy, interested, dark eyes.
"She is going to the Council School next term, so I'm having her here for a few hours every morning to teach her a little English so that things may be made easier for her," explained Miss Cummings.
"How kind of you!" said May. "And in your holidays, too!"
The young governess flushed.