Twenty-one sad faces apathetically testified to his truthfulness. Twenty-one weary sick men, whose rest had been broken at dawn because the night-nurses had to wash them all before they went off duty, and that meant beginning at 3.30 or 4, stared with sad, hollow eyes, and wanted to go 'ome. The doctor washed his hands for the last time and went, his satellites after him. The probationer respectfully opened the door for them. Nonie and Alix stood back out of the way as they passed, then Nonie's Peggy, who had seen them long since, came and fetched them in. 'I _am_ glad to see you,' she said. Nonie said, 'You look dead, my child,' and she returned, 'Oh, it's only the standing. We're all in the same box. She,' she indicated the probationer, 'fainted this morning. And the staff-nurse has the most awful varicose veins. I believe most nurses get them sooner or later. They _ought_ to be let to sit down when they get a chance, for sewing and things, but hospital rules are made of wood and iron. The other Red Crosser and I do sometimes sit, when Sister's out of the ward, but it's rather bad form really, when the regulars mayn't. Funny places, hospitals.... I've been getting into rows this morning for not polishing the brights bright enough. Staff told me they had quite upset Sister. Sister's very easily upset, unfortunately. Staff's a jolly good sort, though.... But look here, you must go. It's time for tea-trays; I shall have to be busy. I'll come round to-night after I'm off, Nonie--if I can get so far. You've got to go now; Staff's looking at us.' They went. Staff called wearily to Peggy, 'Go and help Nurse Baker with trays, will you, dear. And you might take Daddy Thirteen's basin away. He's done being sick for now, I dare say, and he's going to drop it on to the floor in a moment.' Peggy hurried, but was too late. These things will happen sometimes.... 5 'Hate hospitals, don't you?' said Nonie, as she had said when they entered. They were going out at the gates now. 'I suppose they have to be, though.' 'Suppose so,' Alix agreed listlessly. Then with an effort she threw the hospital off. 'That's over, anyhow. I shan't go again. Let's come and do something awfully different now.' They did. 6 When Alix got back to Violette, she was met in the little linoleumed hall by distress and pity, and Mrs. Frampton preparing to break something to her, with a kind, timid arm round her shoulders. 'Dearie, there was a telegram.... You were out, so we opened it.... Now you must be ever so brave.' 'No,' said Alix, rigid and leaning on her stick and whitely staring from narrowed eyes. 'No....' 'Oh, darling child, it's sad news.... I don't know how to tell you.... Dear, you _must_ be brave....' 'Oh, do get on,' muttered Alix, rude and sick. 'Dearie,' Mrs. Frampton was crying into her handkerchief. 'Poor Paul ... your dear little brother ... dreadfully, badly wounded....' 'Dead,' Alix stated flatly, pulling away and leaning against the wall.