Poor little Caroline couldn’t trust herself to speak. She nodded through her tears. “Good-bye,” said Wilfred, “you will write to me about helping me to fight twice as well, won’t you. You know what I mean?” Caroline nodded again. “I wouldn’t mind if you telegraphed me that you would.” What might have happened further will never be determined, for at this juncture Mrs. Varney came back with an old faded blanket tied in a roll. She handed it to the boy without speaking. Wilfred threw it over his shoulder, and kissed his mother hurriedly. “You won’t mind much, will you, mother. I will soon be back. Orderly!” he cried. “Sir.” “I am ready,” said Wilfred. He threw one long, meaning look at Caroline, and followed the soldier out of the door and across the hall. The opening and closing of an outside door was heard, and then all was still. Mrs. Varney held her hand to her heart, and long, shuddering breaths came from her. He might soon be back, but how. She knew all about the famous injunction of the Spartan woman, “With your shield or on it,” but somehow she had had no idea of the full significance until it came to her last boy, and for a moment she was forgetful of poor, little Caroline until she saw the girl wavering toward the door, and there was no disguise about the real tears in her eyes now. “Are you going, dear?” asked Mrs. Varney, forcing herself to speak. Caroline nodded her head as before. “Oh, yes,” continued the older woman, “your party, you have to be there.” At that the girl found voice, and without looking back she murmured, “There won’t be any party to-night.” CHAPTER VIII EDITH IS FORCED TO PLAY THE GAME Caroline’s departure was again interrupted by the inopportune reëntrance from the back hall of Mr. Arrelsford, who was accompanied by two soldiers, whom he directed to remain by the door. As he advanced rapidly toward Mrs. Varney, Caroline stepped aside toward the rear window. “Is he——” began Arrelsford, turning toward the window, and starting back in surprise as he observed Caroline for the first time. “Yes, he is there,” answered the woman. “Oh, Mrs. Varney,” cried Caroline, “there’s a heap of soldiers out in your backyard here. You don’t reckon anything’s the matter, do you?” The girl did not lower her voice, and was greatly surprised at the immediate order for silence which proceeded from Mr. Arrelsford, whose presence she acknowledged with a very cool, indifferent bow. “No, there is nothing the matter, dear,” said Mrs. Varney. “Martha,” she said to the old servant who had come in response to her ring, “I want you to go home with Miss Mitford. You must not go alone, dear. Good-night.” “Thank you very much, Mrs. Varney,” answered Caroline. “Come, Martha.” As she turned, she hesitated. “You don’t reckon she could go with me somewhere else, do you?” “Why, where else do you want to go at this hour, my dear girl?” asked Mrs. Varney.