One evening he was sitting outside his tent, smoking his pipe. It had been a hot, sweltering day, although the summer was now over. Around him, as far as he could see, was a sea of bell-shaped tents. Everywhere was a great seething mass of men in khaki. Horses of all sorts abounded. Many of the men were bandying jokes one with another, others were at the canteen, while many more had gone to the nearest town. Bob himself had earlier in the day gone to the town to indulge in a "good square well-cooked meal," as he called it; and now, early as it was, although he little relished the thought of sleeping so-many in a tent, he was just thinking of going to bed. Near him a number of soldiers were singing gaily. "Nancarrow!" Bob turned his head, and saw a fellow soldier beckoning. "What's up?" "You are wanted." "Where?" "Officers' quarters." As Bob obeyed the summons, he caught the song in which a great mass of men had joined. "It's a long way to Tipperary, It's a long way to go; It's a long way to Tipperary, To the sweetest girl I know. Good-bye, Piccadilly; Farewell, Leicester Square. It's a long, long way to Tipperary. But my heart's right there." As he reached the officers' quarters, he was surprised to see Captain Pringle. "I've news for you, Nancarrow." "Thank you, sir." "You've got your commission." "That's great. Thank you. I'm sure I owe it to you." "Nonsense. Come this way. You've to go to Colonel Sapsworth. But that's not all. You start for the front almost immediately." For a moment Bob could not speak. It was not fear that overwhelmed him, it was something more terrible. Every nerve in his body quivered, while his heart beat wildly. "It's what you wanted, isn't it?" "Yes, Captain. By Jove, that's great!" And that was all Bob could say. CHAPTER XIV "I was afraid--that is, I thought you might be at the front," Bob stammered at length. "You told me, the day I enlisted, that you expected to go in a week." "Yes, I know, but fresh orders came from headquarters. However, it can't be long now, thank Heaven! You were surprised at not seeing or hearing from me, I expect." "I was a bit." "Yes--well, that was by order." Bob looked up inquiringly.