"Whatever I am told to do," was the answer. "A soldier only obeys orders. I served my time with the artillery and my old battery is at Fort Boncelles. I hope they will let me go there, but guns have changed a great deal since my time, and perhaps my experience may be of little use. Yet the principles are the same, still."
"Does Madame Maubin know as yet that you're going, sir?" asked Horace, as they neared the house.
"No," said the master, "she does not. Of course, we have talked about the possible German invasion, but I said nothing which would alarm her. She will have to be told now."
Like all boys, Horace had a deep dislike for emotional scenes, especially of a domestic character, and he would have given a good deal not to be compelled to go into the house, but there was no help for it. Mme. Maubin had seen them coming, and she opened the door.
"Are those German guns?" she asked.
"Yes," said the master, halting on the threshold.
"Then it is all true?"
"The invasion?" he sighed. "Alas, it is all true."
She turned and walked into the house, the others following.