“But not to say these things am I speaking to you today. I wish only to give you this last message from our Sky Pilot. This is the Pilot's last message: 'Tell the boys that God is good, and when they are afraid, to trust Him, and “carry on.”' And for myself, men, I want to say that he was the only man that showed me what God is like.”
In that company of men who had looked steadfastly into the face of death, there were no eyes without tears, many of them were openly weeping.
When the major had finished, the officers present, beginning with the divisional commander, came and stood at the head of the open grave for a single moment, then silently saluted and turned away. It was the duty of Bugler Pat McCann to sound “The Last Post,” but poor Pat was too overcome with his sobbing at once to perform this last duty. Whereupon the runner Pickles, standing with rigid, stony face beside his chum, took the bugle from his hands and there sounded forth that most beautiful and most poignant of all musical sounds known to British soldiers the world over, “The Last Post,” ending with that last, high, long-drawn, heart-piercing note of farewell.
Then, because the war was yet to be won, they “carried on,” the battalion marching away to a merry tune.
Beside Barry's grave there still lingered three men, the divisional commander, Major Bayne, and Captain Neil.
“I am thinking of that little girl in London,” said the divisional commander, and for the first time his voice broke. The others waited, looking at him. “We will hold back this news for a couple of days, and I think, major, you ought to go and—”
“No, general!—My God, no! Don't ask me!” The major was profoundly agitated. “Send Neil, here. He knows her well, and his wife is her great friend.”
“Very well, major, I think that will be better,” said the general in his courteous, gentle voice. “You know her, Captain Fraser, and you can be better spared.”
And so it was arranged. Captain Neil telegraphed Paula to meet him at Boulogne, and together they made the journey to London, carrying with them sad and fearful hearts.
They found Phyllis in a little flat which her mother had taken. When she saw them her face went white, and her hands flew to her bosom. Speechless, and with a great fear in her wide-open brown eyes, she stood looking from one to the other, waiting for their message. Paula went to her and without a word put her arms round her, and held her close.