"10.20.—A lull in the operations.
"10.35.—Just been out to look for shrapnel, but could not find any. Molly" ("the second sister," explained Barcroft) "is still out there; so are most of the neighbours, in airy evening dress. The 'All Clear' signal has not been given, but there's no more firing.
"10.45.—'All Clear' just sounded, and I'm off to bed, so good-night.
"DIANA."
"P.S.—A policeman has just come to say, that they have been driven off, but they may come back again, so the 'All Clear' signal has been cancelled.
"Sunday morning.—The 'All Clear' signal was not given last night till 1 o'clock.
"DIANA."
"Well?" inquired Billy, as the Moke handed back the letter. "What do you think of that? Not bad for a sixteen year old, eh?"
"A girl to be proud of, Barcroft," replied Sylvester. "British to the core. By Jove! I can see a German fräulein writing a letter like that and under similar conditions—I don't think."
"And," added Barcroft, "it shows the true drift of public opinion. Thanks to the absurd restrictions of a rotten censorship all sorts of vague and inaccurate rumours float around. You cannot muzzle millions of people, you know. Consequently it is the froth that floats on the surface—the vapourings of irresponsible individuals of excitable temperament. That which matters most—evidences of the calmness and steadfastness of the bulk of the population in the danger areas—is only occasionally revealed by such means as this. Yes, Diana is a topping example of British grit and courage."