CHAPTER IX
Ready to Go—The Battalion Moves
Rumour had been busy for days; the whole division was about to move, so every one stated, except our officers, and official information was not forthcoming.
"You are going between midnight and five o'clock to-morrow morning," announced my landlord positively. He is a coal-merchant by trade.
"How do you know?" I inquired.
"Because I can't get any coal to-morrow—line's bunged up for the troops."
"No, he'll be going on Tuesday," said his wife, whose kindliness and splendid cooking I should miss greatly.
"Is that so?" I asked, feigning an interest which I did not feel. A sore toe eclipsed all other matters for the time being.
"The ration men have served out enough for two days, and it doesn't stand to reason that they're going to waste anything," the little lady continued with sarcastic emphasis on the last two words.