Later she went to the sitting-room where her employer was once more absorbing comfort from a cup. 'Miss Tod,' she said quietly, 'I want to gang hame.'
In the evening she posted a small package with this note enclosed—
'I am sending the ring Mrs. McOstrich said I was to give you when the time came for you to go. I hope it will bring you good luck. God bless you.
'CHRISTINA.'
She lay awake most of the night, wondering if she might not have written more, wondering what answer he would send, wondering—wondering. . . .
And as she fell asleep in the grey of morning, hours before the package would be delivered at the camp, a long train, at an outlying station, started on its way south, and six hundred eager lads shouted in the face of all things.
'We're awa' this time, by Goad!' yelled Willie in his friend's ear.
And Macgregor laughed wildly and wrung his friend's hand.