“It’s marching orders, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s marching orders, old kiddie,” Jim answered. They looked at each other steadily: and then Norah’s eyes met Wally’s.
“When?” she asked.
“To-morrow morning.”
“Well——” said Norah; and drew a long breath. “And I haven’t your last week’s socks darned! That comes of having too many responsibilities. Any buttons to be sewn on for either of you?”
“No, thanks,” they told her, greatly relieved. She tucked a hand into an arm of each boy, and they went towards the house. David Linton came out hurriedly to meet them.
“Allenby says——” he began. He did not need to go further.
“We were trotting in to tell you,” said Jim.
“We’ll be just in time to give the Boche a cheery Christmas,” said Wally. “Norah, are you going to send us a Christmas hamper? With a pudding?”
“Rather!” Norah answered. “And I’ll put a lucky pig, and a button, and a threepenny-bit in it, so you’d better eat it with care, or you may damage your teeth. Miss de Lisle and I are going to plan great parcels for you; she’s going to teach me to cook all sorts of things.”