The next day was Friday. Captain Liddell had promised to call on us, should anything be decided before 1.30. The town was, however, suddenly thrown into a state of excitement by the passing of a German Taube which dropped a bomb on St. Bertin’s Church. Fortunately it only slightly injured the porch, though it wounded several persons standing by. Amongst the injured was the chaplain of La Sainte Union, whose hand was hurt. We were next informed that the British Headquarters had left the town. What then would become of the arrangements for our journey to England? Immediately Dame Columban and Dame Patrick offered to go and see if any message had been left for us, poor Mother Prioress being unwell, and therefore not able to go herself. The narrative is again continued from the notes of Dame Columban and Dame Patrick:-- ‘Having received Mother Prioress’ blessing, we started off, wondering what we should find, perhaps an empty house? On our way we passed St. Bertin’s Church, where a group of persons were gathered, watching French soldiers clearing the road of the remains of bricks, stones, glass, which were strewn about. Every window in the whole street was broken. Hastening our steps we were soon in presence of Captain Liddell, to whom we apologised for our early call, relating what we had heard. He said that the staff had no intention of leaving as yet, that as to our journey it would take several days to arrange, for different persons would have to be consulted. The situation did not seem very satisfactory, so, on taking our leave, we determined to have recourse once more to the Belgian authorities. Just as we arrived in sight of the building, to our great disappointment, we saw the Commandant leaving in company with two British officers. We immediately drew back, but, recognising us, he came forward, all three officers giving a military salute. We begged him not to stop for us, saying that we would call again, but he insisted on bringing us into the house, telling the officers he would rejoin them shortly. We stated, as briefly as possible, the unsatisfactory result of our visit to the English Headquarters, and asked what was the best thing to do. He told us that there was a train leaving the next day at 2.30 P.M., but that in all probability we should not enjoy the company. We, of course, declared that this did not matter. However, he told us to decide nothing as yet, saying he himself would go to arrange with the British officers, and would call on Mother Prioress next morning. We thanked him profusely, and once more turned our steps towards La Sainte Union to acquaint Reverend Mother with the result of our negotiations.’ CHAPTER X A SECOND ATTEMPT TO REVISIT YPRES