"He may not make any inquiries if he finds young William"--by common consent the adjective had been given to distinguish the son from the three Williams of the former generation--"doing his work properly." "There are colonels and colonels, miss. Some can put on the blinkers when they think fit. Others shy and jib at everything that comes within sight. Fortunately young William's complexion helps a bit, and the black eye doesn't show as it would if he were as fair as his father." "Then you think of sending him back to-morrow." "His leave will be up by that time." "I must tell my brother. He said he would speak to him about the canteen and fighting." "It would do him good, miss; but to tell the truth I've said pretty nearly all there is to be said and I haven't sounded cease firing yet." "I hope the scolding has not been overdone," said Eola, a wave of pity for young William passing through her as she thought of the lectures the anxious mother had already given to her erring son. "No fear, miss. It's my chance and I haven't spared him. I shan't see young William for some time to come. I've let him have it broadside, in the front and in the rear. As William--that was my third, and he was a gunner--used to say, 'Don't spare powder and shot if you want to produce a lasting impression on the enemy.' There's one thing I want to ask you, miss. Is Mr. Alderbury going on from here by his carts or by train?" "By motor; the carts are to leave early to-morrow morning or to-night. The motor will be wanted after lunch to-morrow. The chauffeur must spend the night at the mission bungalow and return the next day." "Then nothing will be needed for Mr. Alderbury's tiffin basket," remarked Mrs. Hulver as though dismissing the subject since it did not concern her any further. Eola caught sight of her guest pacing to and fro in the verandah and she turned away to join him. Mrs. Hulver followed her. "I should be glad if you could spare me to-morrow for half a day. I should like to go to the station with young William and see him off. He will leave by an early train so as to get in in time to report himself before six." "By all means take as much time as you like." "Would you like to come and speak a word to young William, miss?" "No, please not; I really have nothing to say." "It would do him good if you just said as before; 'Let it be----'" Eola interrupted her hastily. "Oh, no, Mrs. Hulver; I am sure that more than enough has been said. Young William will be glad to get away." "Then the Doctor will come and talk to him." "Is it necessary? Don't you think he might be let off any further scolding?" "Well, miss; he has yet to face the sergeant and perhaps the colonel. So it isn't done with yet; and he won't be out of the firing line till he has reported himself and had his dressing-down." "Then I am sure that he must be spared anything further from us."