“Yes, and in the interval between those duties they could be directing the forward movement to Berlin!” said Wally eagerly. “Let’s suggest it to the War Office!”
“I would, if we hadn’t got our commissions,” said Jim. “As it is, I want to stay in the Army. Reformers always have a poor time at the hands of officials.”
The carriage stopped, and they hurried into the hotel, glad to get away from the keen January wind. Jim came last, after paying the coachman; Norah paused in the warm, carpeted lounge to wait for him. As he entered quickly, tall and good to look at, in his khaki, an old lady with a black armlet passed out. Jim held the swing door for her. She looked at him and stopped involuntarily: in her face such a mingling of longing and sorrow that the boy’s glance dropped, unable to meet those hungry mother-eyes. For a moment her lip quivered; then, she forced a smile.
“You are going out?” she asked.
“I hope so,” Jim answered gravely.
“May I wish you luck, and shake hands with you?” She put out her hand, and Jim took it in his brown paw, gently.
“Thank you,” he said. They looked at each other for a moment, and then the mother who had no son passed on.
Norah and Jim went up the staircase in silence. Tea was waiting, and Norah poured it out; the boys waiting on her. She was still weak after her illness: glad, presently to go to lie down, at Mr. Linton’s injunction. She wanted to get herself in hand before the parting came: it was bad enough to have even once gone near to breaking down. English influenza, Norah thought, had a depressing effect upon one’s backbone.
Jim came in soon, and sat down on the bed, tucking her up warmly. They talked in low voices of the time that was coming.
“So you’ll just be the plucky little mate you’ve always been,” Jim said to her, at last. “Remember, it’s your job. This thing is so big that there’s more or less of a job for every one. Only I think a man’s is simpler—at least it’s ready waiting for him, but a woman has got to go and hunt hers up. You aren’t a woman, kiddie, but you’re going to look after your job.”