He rejoined Mrs. Winter, and ten minutes later they reached home. As they entered the house by the side door Mrs. Mead came into the passage from the shop. She had a newspaper in her hand.
"I've been up with Bob," she said, addressing Mrs. Winter, "and have taken him news of his father. It's in the newspaper—indeed, it's in every newspaper, I hear. My brother's proved himself a real hero, Mrs. Winter; he's done a very brave deed—gone out under fire again and again and brought in several men who were wounded. Now, what do you think of that?"
"I think it was splendid of him!" Mrs. Winter declared. "Oh, how proud you must feel of him, Mrs. Mead! And he is quite safe himself? Yes? Oh, thank God! Jackie, you don't understand, darling!" She stooped and kissed the little boy who stood by listening, looking very puzzled.
"How fond you are of children!" exclaimed Mrs. Mead. "I've bought two newspapers," she went on, "and I've given one to Bob—he'll let you see it, I daresay. The other I want to keep to show folks. Run upstairs to Bob, Jackie, he'll explain to you about father! I'll send your tea upstairs. You shall have cake and jam, as it's a red-letter day, I'm sure. And why not invite Mrs. Winter to tea with you? You won't have to wait for tea till your kettle boils if you wouldn't mind having it with the boys for once in a way, Mrs. Winter."
"Mind?" cried Mrs. Winter. "Oh, I should like it! You are kind, Mrs. Mead."
Mrs. Mead looked pleased but surprised. She did not know how very bare was the corner cupboard in which her attic lodger kept her stores.
"Well, and aren't you kind to the children?" she said. "See, what you've done for Bob! I couldn't have spared the time to look after him as you've done. Don't talk of being kind!"
Mrs. Mead bustled away, whilst Mrs. Winter went upstairs; Jackie had run on. When the old woman had taken off her bonnet and cloak she hastened to the boys' attic, and found Bob posted up in bed. He had made Jackie understand what their father had done.
"And he might have been killed himself," he was saying as Mrs. Winter entered the room, "but God kept him safe. Oh, if he had been killed—"
"'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,'" Mrs. Winter interposed softly.