But we were far too hungry to wait, and before the omelettes arrived we had cleared a great plate of cakes. After weeks of indifferent trench cooking the first well-done omelette is a great joy, and, as I put down my fork, I glanced inquiry at Baker. "Rather," he answered to my unspoken question. "Mademoiselle, encore deux omelettes, s'il vous plait," I ordered. "Nous avons une faim de loup." "Je m'en apercois, messieurs les officiers," answered our fair enchantress, as she hurried off to repeat our order in the kitchen, while a crowd of predatory officers glared murder at us when they found we did not intend to leave our places so soon. "Some fellows are pigs," murmured one. "That was splendid," said Baker when we started off on our homeward walk. "But six miles is a hell of a long way." Personally, though, I enjoyed those six miles through the dusk, for we seemed to hear the hum of the traffic and the shouts of newsboys. Our tea brought back souvenirs of England, and we talked of London and of home, of theatres, and of coast patrol on the southern cliffs, until the little low huts of our camp showed up ahead. * * * * * It is nearly two years now since Baker was killed. He was found gassed in a dug-out on Hill 60, and by his side lay his servant, who had died in the attempt to drag him out to the comparative safety of the open trench. Nearly two years since another friend gave up his life for his country; nearly two years since another mother in England learned that her son had been killed in a "slight diversion on the Ypres salient"! But it was thus that he would have wished to die. XVII "HERE COMES THE GENERAL" A servant brought me a note to my dug-out: "Come down and have some lunch in trench 35D," it ran, "in C Company officers' dug-out. Guests are requested to bring their own plates and cutlery; and, if it is decent, their own food. Menu attached. R.S.V.P." The menu was as follows: MENU OF LUNCHEON GIVEN BY C COMPANY AT THEIR COUNTRY RESIDENCE, "THE RETREAT," 15/5/15. SOUPS Soup a la Bully Beef. Soup a l'Oxo. FISH Salmon (and Shrimp Paste) without Mayonnaise Sauce. Sardines a l'Huile (if anyone provides them). ENTREES Maconochie, very old. Bully beef and boiled potatoes. SWEETS Pineapple Chunks, fresh from the tin. English Currant Cake. SAVOURY Welsh Rarebit.