The boys were waiting in hourly expectation of orders to proceed to the front, in the highest of spirits, and with a gusto not entirely explicable to their womankind. By processes of severe elimination they had reduced their absolutely necessary baggage to official requirements and the restricted proportions of their new stiff green-webbing knapsacks. They were now going up and down each day in full campaigning kit, and looked, as Noel said, like blooming Father Christmases, so slung about were they with bulging impedimenta of all kinds. They looked bigger and burlier than ever,--‘absolutely massive,’ said Honor. Then at last the call came. They were to parade at Head-Quarters and remain there ready to go on at a moment’s notice. Farewells to the elders were said at home. Neither Mrs Dare nor Mrs MacLean would venture on them in public. Lois knew what it would be like, having been through it already, and she stayed with them. Auntie Mitt wept unashamedly, though she pretended it was only the beginning of a cold. And when they had gone, all four shut themselves up for a space in their bedrooms and betook themselves to their knees. Honor and Vic, however, went up with them to Head-Quarters, to see the impression they created in the trains with such loads on their backs, to share in their reflected glory, and to delay the parting by that much. And the impression was highly satisfactory to all concerned. For all minds were full still of the gallant work of the First Battalion at Messines, and all knew that these young stalwarts were off presently to fill the gaps. Appreciative glances followed their bumping progression in and out of trains and stations, and the girls really felt it an honour to be in such high company. At Head-Quarters they--being connected with the draft--were admitted to the floor of the house and found themselves in a bewildering maelstrom of circulating Scots. “I never saw so many bare knees in all my life,” whispered Vic. “Aren’t they all splendid?” said Honor, sparkling all over, but not referring entirely to brawny knees. And splendid they were, though there were many eyes that saw them but mistily--whereby they doubtless looked more splendid still. And obtrusive lumps had to be forcibly choked down many throats, as fathers and mothers, and sisters and other fellows’ sisters, tried their best to keep brave and cheerful faces while they watched--knowing only too well that they might be looking for the last time on the clear fresh faces and bright eyes and stalwart forms. It was dreadful to think that within a day or two these eager upstanding boys, with their swinging kilts and cocked bonnets and cheery looks, might be lying stiff and stark, rent into bloody fragments by German shells. It did not do to think of it. Honor and Vic went up into the gallery and watched the multifarious crowd below.