I inclined my head towards him.
"Well?"
"I am a father!"
I nodded my hideous head, and smiled congratulations as well as I could.
"I only got word this morning," I heard him bawl as his face disappeared into his mask. "BOY!" And with that he led his company into the barrage.
I felt convinced if we got through it Roy would tell the first German he met about the baby.
CHAPTER XX
FOUNTAIN KEEP
Of the next half-hour my recollection is mercifully blurred. All that I know is that most of us got through the barrage and foregathered at the back of Fountain Keep, which proved to be a circular point d'appui intersected and honeycombed with trenches, saps and tunnels.
"Carry right on with the company," I said to Roy. "I think you will find some hand-to-hand work going on just over the ridge; so your men will be welcome. I will try to find the Headquarters of the Royal Loyals. Take care of yourself, laddie!"