“Very bad news, dear. Come in here,--to the library,” and she closed the door behind them. “Noel and Gregor,” she said, with a break in her voice--“They are both gone----” “Oh, Lo!”--with a sharp agony which Lois understood. “Not both!” “Yes, dear, both. It is terrible, but you must help us to bear it.” Vic gave her one woeful glance, which haunted her for months, and then put her arms round her neck and broke into sobs. “Oh, Lo! Lo!” and Lois put her arms round her understandingly and patted her soothingly. No further word was said between them, and presently Vic disengaged herself and bowed her head and ran up to her room. Lois just told the news to Auntie Mitt, whose old face worked and broke, and then, slipping on her Loden cloak with the hood over her head, she went across to The Red House. They knew in a moment by the sight of her face that she brought bad news. Mrs Dare had all along, while relaxing nothing of her faith and hope, been prepared for such. Many times a day she had said to herself, “How is it possible that they can come back alive out of such horrors? God’s will be done!” Now she asked quickly, “Who is it, dear?”--as one who was prepared. “It is the boys, Mother dear.” “Not both?” with a gasp in spite of herself. “Both,” said Lois sadly, and dared not look at Honor, who sat rigid and stricken. “I will read you Ray’s letter.” “Ray is safe?” “Thank God, he is safe--so far,” and she read them his letter. When it was all told, Mrs Dare gave a great sigh as though part of her very life had gone out of her. “The--poor--dear--lads!” she said softly. “We must remember that they are infinitely better off, Mother dear,” said Lois quietly. “They did their duty and they died nobly.” Mrs Dare sighed again. “I did not think it possible they could all come back. How could we expect it when so many are gone? But--oh, how we shall miss them!--the dear lads!--the dear lads!” “Who will break it to Mrs MacLean?” said Honor, in a low, strained voice tremulous with tears. “It will be terrible for her!” “Perhaps I had better go,” said Lois. “But it will be very trying----” “I think I will go, Lo,” said Honor, very quietly but very firmly. “He was very dear to me too. We must comfort one another.” “Can you stand it, Nor, dear?” “Yes, I can stand it. We’ve all got to stand it. You will lend me Ray’s letter? I will be very careful of it,” and Lois handed it to her. “She is very brave,” said Lois, when Honor had gone off to put on her things. “I don’t think I could bear it so well if Ray were taken from me. Oh, Mother, how terrible it all is! It all seems like a horrible nightmare. I stand and ask myself sometimes--‘Is it real? Is this really Christmas of 1914,--or shall I wake presently and find it all an evil dream?’”