“For Christ’s sake don’t bring them here⁠—in the middle of a bombardment!”

“Where’s the general?” asked the newcomer.

“Down in the cellar with the other brigadier. They don’t ask us down to tea, I notice.”

Those last words caused all the officers to laugh⁠—almost excessively. But their laughter ended sharply, and they listened intently as there was a heavy crash outside.

Another officer came up the steps and made a rapid entry into the hall.

“I understand there is to be a conference of battalion commanders,” he said, with a queer catch in his breath. “In view of this⁠—er⁠—bombardment, I had better come in later, perhaps?”

“You had better wait,” said the brigade major, rather grimly.