"One would like to show her any little kindness that is possible," Eric continued. "One has sent her flowers, of course, and so on. Is there anything else? I wonder if she would like to see me? It would probably do her good."
It was the old touch. I smiled despite myself.
"I wouldn't suggest it at present, if I were you," I said. "She is to have some news broken to her this afternoon."
"You mean—?"
I nodded.
"It's in the paper this morning," I said. "The War Office telegram we could keep from her; but not that."
Eric was silent, and began to turn over the papers.
"These maps had better go back to Ordnance," he remarked. "They ought to have been taken out at Battalion Headquarters, by rights. Some of these old Orders are interesting: they have a musty flavour now. Listen to this":
The C.O. has observed that N.C.O.'s and Men are falling into the habit of washing their gas-helmets.
"Do you remember those noisome old flannel jelly-bags, Alan?"