As she got out of her chair to go upstairs, she said:
"This has been a happy day, Mother. I must remember it. What is the day of the month?"
Mrs. Yellam answered promptly:
"It be the fifteenth of December. Only ten days to Christmas."
Mrs. Yellam never forgot this date. Word came to her some days later. On the fifteenth of December, a night attack was made upon German trenches, an affair of small importance, not even mentioned in the papers. When the men returned to their dug-outs, Sergeant Yellam was reported—Missing.
CHAPTER XVIII
MISSING!
Everybody assured Mrs. Yellam that Alfred had been taken prisoner. Uncle was doubtful whether any nephew of his could be taken prisoner, but he did not say this before his sister. The Squire, good fellow, spent time and money over telegrams to the Colonel commanding Alfred's battalion. And the answer confirmed popular opinion that Alfred, by now, was in Germany, where prisoners of war—so Sir Geoffrey assured Mrs. Yellam, received more humane treatment. The dead and wounded, after the night attack, had been brought in. Alfred was not amongst them. And therefore a prisoner. His Colonel, without a word from Sir Geoffrey, expressed that as his positive belief.
Fancy, very white and anxious, hugged such belief to her small bosom. She said to Mrs. Yellam:
"Alfred will come back."