Part 26

A year later Doggie Trevor returned to Durdlebury. He had been laid up in hospital with a wounded leg, the result of fighting the German snipers in front of the first line trenches, and he was now on his way back to France. Durdlebury had not changed in the interval; it was Marmaduke Trevor that had changed. He measured about ten inches more around the chest than the year before, and his hands were red and calloused from hard work. He was as straight as an Indian now, and in his rough khaki uniform of a British private he looked every bit a man--yes, and more than that, a veteran soldier. For Doggie had passed through battle after battle, gas attacks, mine explosions, and months of dreary duty in water-filled trenches, where only brave and tough men could endure. He had been tried in the furnace and he had come out pure gold.

Doggie entered the familiar Deanery, and was met by Peggy with a glad smile of welcome. His uncle, the Dean, appeared in the hall, florid, whitehaired, benevolent, and extended both hands to the homecoming warrior.

"My dear boy," he said, "how glad I am to see you! Welcome back! And how's the wound?"

Opening the drawing-room door, he pushed Doggie inside. A tall, lean figure in uniform, which had remained in the background by the fireplace, advanced with outstretched hand.

"Hello, old chap!"

Doggie took the hand in an honest grip.

"Hello, Oliver!"

"How goes it?" asked Oliver.

"Splendid," said Doggie. "Are you all right?"

"Tip-top," answered Oliver. He clapped his cousin on the shoulder. "My hat! you do look fit."

He turned to the Dean. "Uncle Edward, isn't he a hundred times the man he was?"

In a little while tea came. It appeared to Doggie, handing round the three-tiered cake-stand, that he had returned to some forgotten existence. The delicate china cup in his hand seemed too frail for the material usages of life, and he feared lest he break it, for Doggie was accustomed to the rough dishes of the private.

The talk lay chiefly between Oliver and himself and ran on the war. Both men had been at Ypres and at Arras, where the British and German trenches lay only five yards apart.

"I ought to be over there now," said Oliver, "but I just escaped shell-shock and I was sent home for two weeks."

"My crowd is at the Somme," said Doggie.

"You're well out of it, old chap," laughed Oliver.

For the first time in his life Doggie began really to like Oliver. Oliver stood in his eyes in a new light, that of the typical officer, trusted and beloved by his men, and Doggie's heart went out to him.

After some further talk, the men separated to dress for dinner.

"You've got the green room, Marmaduke," said Peggy. "The one with the Chippendale furniture you used to covet so much."

"I haven't got much to change into," laughed Doggie, looking down at his uniform.

"You'll find Peddle up there waiting for you."

When Doggie entered the green room, he found Peddle, who welcomed him with tears of joy and a display of all the luxuries of the toilet and adornment which Doggie had left behind at home. There were pots of [v]pomade and face cream, and nail polish; bottles of hair-wash and tooth-wash; half a dozen gleaming razors; the array of brushes and combs and [v]manicure set in [v]tortoise-shell with his crest in silver; bottles of scent; the purple silk dressing-gown; a soft-fronted shirt fitted with ruby and diamond sleeve-links; the dinner jacket and suit laid out on the glass-topped table, with tie and handkerchief; the silk socks, the glossy pumps.

"My, Peddle!" cried Doggie, scratching his closely-cropped head. "What's all this?"

Peddle, gray, bent, uncomprehending, regarded him blankly.

"All what, sir?"

"I only want to wash my hands," said Doggie.

"But aren't you going to dress for dinner, sir?"

"A private soldier's not allowed to wear [v]mufti," returned Doggie.

"Who's to find out?"

"There's Mr. Oliver; he's a major."

"Ah, Mr. Marmaduke, he wouldn't mind. Miss Peggy gave me my orders, sir, and I think you can leave things to her."

"All right, Peddle," laughed Doggie. "If it's Miss Peggy's decree, I'll change my clothes. I have all I want."

"Are you sure you can manage, sir?" Peddle asked anxiously, for the time was when Doggie could not stick his legs into his trousers unless Peddle helped him.

"Quite," said Doggie.

"It seems rather roughing it, here at the Deanery, Mr. Marmaduke, after what you've been accustomed to at the Hall," said Peddle.

"That's so," replied Doggie. "And it's martyrdom compared to what it is in the trenches. There we always have a major-general to lace our boots and a field-marshall to hand us coffee."

Peddle looked blank, being utterly unable to comprehend the nature of a joke.

A little later, when Doggie went downstairs to dinner, he found Peggy alone in the drawing-room.

"Now you look more like a Christian gentleman," she said. "Confess: it's much more comfortable than your wretched private's uniform."

"I'm not quite so sure," he replied, somewhat ruefully, indicating his dinner jacket, which was tightly constricted beneath the arms. "Already I've had to slit my waistcoat down the back. Poor old Peddle will have a fit when he sees it. I've grown a bit since these elegant rags were made for me."

Oliver came in--in khaki. Doggie jumped up and pointed to him.

"Look here, Peggy," he said; "I'll be sent to the guard-room."

Oliver laughed. "I did change my uniform," he said. "I don't know where my dinner clothes are."

"That's the best thing about being a major," spoke up Doggie. "They have heaps of suits. Poor Tommy has but one suit to his name."

Then the Dean and his wife entered, and they went in to dinner. It was for Doggie the most pleasant of meals. He had the superbly healthy man's whole-hearted appreciation for unaccustomed good food. There were other and finer pleasures--the table with its exquisite [v]napery and china and glass and silver and flowers. There was the delightful atmosphere of peace and gentle living. And there was Oliver--a new Oliver.

Most of all, Doggie appreciated Oliver's comrade-like attitude. It was a recognition of him as a soldier. He had "made good" in the eyes of one of the finest soldiers in the British army, and what else mattered? To Doggie the supreme joy of that pleasurable evening was the knowledge that he had done well in the eyes of Oliver. The latter wore on his tunic the white, mauve, and white ribbon of the Military Cross. Honor where honor was due. But he--Doggie--had been wounded, and Oliver frankly put them both on the same plane of achievement, thus wiping away with generous hand all the hated memories of the past.

When the ladies left the room the Dean went with them, and the cousins were left alone.

"And now," said Oliver, "don't you think you're a bit of a fool, Doggie?"

"I know it," Doggie returned cheerfully. "The army has drummed that into me at any rate."

"I mean in staying in the ranks," Oliver went on. "Why don't you apply for the Cadet Corps and get a commission again?"

Doggie's brow grew dark. "I will tell you," he replied. "The only real happiness I've had in my life has been as a Tommy. I'm not talking foolishness. The only real friends I've ever made in my life are Tommies. I've a real life as a Tommy, and I'm satisfied. When I came to my senses after being thrown out for incompetence and I enlisted, I made a vow that I would stick it out as a Tommy without anybody's sympathy, least of all that of the people here. And as a Tommy I am a real soldier and do my part."

Oliver smiled. "I'm glad you told me, old man. I appreciate it very much. I've been through the ranks myself and know what it is--the bad and the good. Many a man has found his soul that way--"

"Heavens!" cried Doggie, starting to his feet. "Do you say that, too?"

The cousins clasped hands. That was Oliver's final recognition of Doggie as a soldier and a man. Doggie had found his soul.

W. J. LOCKE.

IN FLANDERS FIELD

In Flanders fields, the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our places. In the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly, Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe! To you, from failing hands, we throw The torch. Be yours to lift it high! If ye break faith with us who die, We shall not sleep, though poppies blow In Flanders fields.

JOHN MCCRAE.

IN FLANDERS FIELD

(AN ANSWER)

In Flanders fields, the cannon boom And fitful flashes light the gloom, While up above, like eagles, fly The fierce destroyers of the sky; With stains the earth wherein you lie Is redder than the poppy bloom, In Flanders fields.

Sleep on, ye brave. The shrieking shell, The quaking trench, the startled yell, The fury of the battle hell Shall wake you not, for all is well. Sleep peacefully, for all is well. Your flaming torch aloft we bear, With burning heart an oath we swear To keep the faith, to fight it through, To crush the foe or sleep with you In Flanders fields.

C. B. GALBRAITH.

A BALLAD OF HEROES

Because you passed, and now are not,-- Because in some remoter day Your sacred dust from doubtful spot Was blown of ancient airs away,-- Because you perished,--must men say Your deeds were naught, and so profane Your lives with that cold burden? Nay, The deeds you wrought are not in vain!

Though, it may be above the plot That hid your once imperial clay, No greener than o'er men forgot The unregarded grasses sway,-- Though there no sweeter is the lay From careless bird,--though you remain Without distinction of decay,-- The deeds you wrought are not in vain!

No. For while yet in tower or cot Your story stirs the pulse's play; And men forget the sordid lot-- The sordid care, of cities gray;-- While yet, beset in homelier fray, They learn from you the lesson plain That life may go, so Honor stay,-- The deeds you wrought are not in vain!

ENVOY

Heroes of old! I humbly lay The laurel on your graves again; Whatever men have done, men may,-- The deeds you wrought are not in vain!

AUSTIN DOBSON.

DICTIONARY

=a byss´=: a deep gulf.

=ac´ me=: height.

=ac ro bat´ ics=: gymnastics; athletic exercises.

=ad´ age=: saying; proverb.

=a e´ ri al=: airy.

=a lac´ ri ty=: eagerness; spryness.

=al´ der man=: here, a Saxon nobleman.

=al´ gæ=: seaweeds.

=al ter´ na tive=: a second choice.

=A´ ma ti ki´ ta=: an Esquimau.

=am´ i ca bly ad just´ ed=: arranged peacefully.

=am´ phi the a ter=: a circular building with tiers of seats arranged around an open space.

=an´ chor ite=: a hermit.

=an´ nals=: records.

=aped=: imitated.

=ap er tif´= (teef): an appetizer.

=ap´ er ture=: opening.

=Ap´ pa lach´ ian=: a chain of mountains in the eastern United States.

=ap pre hen´ sions=: fears.

=a quat´ ic=: of the water.

=ar cade´=: an arched gallery.

=ar tic´ u late=: in regular words.

=at´ mos phere=: air pressure at sea level used as a unit.

=au ro´ ra=: the Northern Lights, the red glow in the sky in the Far North.

=aus ter´ i ty=: soberness; sternness.

=av a ri´ cious= (rish us): greedy of gain.

=Bal lin droch´ a ter=: a Scotch village.

=ban dit´ ti=: outlaws; bandits.

=bar´ bi can=: a tower over a gate or bridge.

=bar´ o graph=: an instrument for recording changes in the atmosphere.

=ba rom´ e ter=: an instrument that determines the weight of the air, and thereby foretells changes in the weather.

=ba rouche´=: a low, open carriage.

=bau´ ble=: a wand carried by jesters.

=Beau seant= (bo sa on´): "Well-seeming," an ancient French war cry.

=be nig´ nant=: kind; helpful.

=big´ gin=: a child's cap.

=Bois-Guil bert= (bwa guel bare´): a knight of the Order of the Temple.

=bo´ nus=: an extra payment not included in wages.

=brake=: a thicket.

=bre´ vi a ry=: a book containing a church service.

=brown-bill=: a weapon consisting of a long staff with a hook-shaped blade at the top.

=buf foon´ er y=: jesting; clownishness.

=bun´ sen pile=: an electric cell containing zinc covered with sulphuric acid at one end, and carbon surrounded by nitric acid at the other.

=buoyed= (booed): kept up; supported.

=bur lesque´= (lesk): humorous; not serious.

=byz´ ant=: a large gold coin.

=ca lum´ ni a tor=: a slanderer.

=car´ bon=: one of the chemical elements; charcoal is its best known form.

=car´ di nal=: a priest of high rank who wears a small red cap.

=car´ ri on=: decaying flesh.

=car´ tel=: a defiance; a challenge.

=casque= (cask): helmet.

=cas´ sock=: a close-fitting garment resembling a modern coat.

=catherine wheel=: a firework that turns around when lighted, throwing off a circle of sparks.

=ce ler´ i ty=: quickness; promptness.

=cel´ lar=: here, a wine-cellar.

=che val-glass= (she´ val): a large mirror swinging in a frame.

=Chil how´ ee=: a high mountain in east Tennessee.

=chiv´ al rous=: knightly; warlike.

=churls=: low, rude persons.

=circuit-rider=: a preacher who ministers to a number of churches.

=cloth-yard=: a yard in length.

=col´ lo quy=: a discussion.

=com punc´ tion=: remorse; repentance.

=cone=: a body tapering to a point.

=con´ ning tower=: a raised part of a vessel giving an outlook on the sea.

=con strained´=: restricted; unfree.

=con´ va les´ cence=: period of recovery.

=con ver´ gent=: coming nearly together.

=cope=: a long robe.

=co´ pi ous ly=: plentifully.

=cord´ age=: the ropes on a ship.

=Cor´ do van=: made in Cordova, a Spanish city.

=cor me´ um e rue ta´ vit=: "the heart of me burst forth."

=cor rob´ o ra ted=: confirmed; agreed with.

=cor ro´ sive sub´ li mate=: a substance containing mercury and useful for cleaning wounds.

=coun´ ter-poise=: a weight used to pull up the drawbridge.

=cowl=: a monk's hood.

=cox´ comb=: a piece of red cloth worn by jesters on their caps.

=crest fall´ en=: humiliated; humbled.

=crev´ ice=: hole; opening.

=cri´ sis=: critical period.

=croup=: the space behind the saddle.

=cur tail´ ing=: cutting down.

=cut´ lery=: knives and forks.

=cyl´ in der=: a part of machinery, like a piston, longer than broad and with a round surface.

=cy lin´ dri cal=: shaped like a cylinder, that is, long but with a round surface, as a lead pencil.

=decency=: here, a good appearance.

=de cep´ tive=: misleading.

=dep re da´ tion=: theft; despoiling.

=De pro fun´ dis cla ma´ vi=: "I cried from the depths," a Latin psalm.

=dif´ fi dence=: shyness.

=dil´ a to´ ri ness=: slowness; delay.

=dil´ a to ry=: slow.

=di lem´ ma=: difficulty.

=dis cerned´=: saw; understood.

=dis con´ so late ly=: unhappily.

=dis til´ ling=: for condensing sweet water from sea water.

=dlink=: drink, in broken English.

=doit=: a coin of small value.

=do mes´ tic=: of the home.

=Dom´ i nie=: a name sometimes given clergymen or schoolmasters.

=doub´ let=: a garment covering the body from neck to waist.

=dough ty= (dou´ ty): valiant; useful.

=drag=: the scent of a fox.

=dross=: money spoken of contemptuously, as something of no account.

=Dry´ ad=: a wood nymph.

=du en´ na=: chaperon.

=dun=: brownish.

=Dun dee´=: a Scotch seaport.

=e clipse´=: darkening; obscuring.

=ef fem´ i nate=: womanish.

=e lec trom´ e ter=: an instrument which indicates the presence of electricity.

=em a na´ tion=: a flowing forth.

=em bel´ lish=: ornament; touch up.

=em´ u late=: rival.

=e´ quine=: pertaining to a horse.

=Esh´ col=: a scene in the Bible.

=ex ha la´ tion=: fumes; vapor.

=ex hil´ a ra ted=: lifted up; greatly pleased.

=ex´ i gence=: emergency.

=ex or´ bi tant=: unreasonable; excessive.

=ex pos´ tu la ted=: protested.

=fath´ om=: a measure six feet in length.

=fer´ rule=: the piece at the end of a parasol or umbrella.

=feu´ dal=: relating to a lord of the Middle Ages.

=fi del´ i ty=: faithfulness.

=fil´ ial= (yal): due from a child to a parent.

=first mag´ ni tude=: largest size; most importance.

=floe=: the ocean frozen into an ice-field.

=fort´ a lice=: a small fortress.

=frank´ lin=: a Saxon gentleman.

=Front-de-Boeuf= (front de beuf´): a Norman baron.

=gab´ bro=: a kind of limestone rock.

=gal´ liard= (yard): a gallant, valiant man.

=gear=: affair; concern.

=ge´ ni i= (e): spirits.

=gen re= (zhan´ r): dealing with everyday life.

=gen teel´ ly=: like gentlefolk; properly.

=ge´ o log´ i cal=: relating to the substance of the earth.

=glaive=: a weapon resembling an ax.

=gra mer´ cy=: thanks.

=gra tu´ i tous=: useless; unnecessary.

=grav´ i ta´ tion=: the attraction of great bodies, such as the earth, for other bodies.

=gren ade´=: a small bomb.

=gro tesque´= (tesk): absurd; unsightly.

=gyves= (jives): fetters; irons.

=hatch´ way=: an opening in a deck.

=Hen´ ri cus=: a settlement on the James river some distance above Jamestown.

=her met´ i cal ly=: tightly; impenetrably.

=hi la´ ri ously=: uproariously.

=hor´ i zon´ tal=: on a level with the ground.

=hum´ mock=: a knoll, or hillock.

=hy´ dro plane=: an aeroplane which also moves on the water.

=il lus´ tri ous=: distinguished; noted.

=im port´ ed=: brought in from without.

=im per´ vi ous=: impenetrable; not to be pierced.

=in´ con ceiv´ a ble=: beyond the understanding.

=in ef´ fa ble=: very great; beyond measure.

=in´ ef fec´ tu al=: unavailing; without effect.

=in ex´ pli ca bly=: not to be explained.

=in fal´ li bly=: unerringly.

=in´ fin ite= (it): immeasurable.

=in i ti a tive= (in ish´ i a tive): an act which begins something.

=In´ nu it=: an American Esquimau.

=in ter mit´ tent=: unsteady; not regular.

=in vin´ ci ble=: not to be conquered.

=in vi´ o late=: unbroken; undefiled.

=jave´ lin= (jav): a short spear used for throwing.

=joc´ u lar´ i ty=: mirth.

=joc´ und=: merry; sportive.

=Jove=: the king of the gods; here, the chief person of the household.

=jun´ to=: a group of men; a council.

=ka lei´ do scope=: an instrument in which small pieces of colored glass slide about and form pleasing shapes.

=Ki was´ sa=: a name for the Great Spirit, or God.

=Knights Templar=: an order of knights serving in Palestine and taking their name from a palace in Jerusalem called Solomon's Temple.

=la goons=: lakes connecting with the sea.

=La Mort= (mor): "Death," sounded on a horn when the game is killed.

=la´ tent=: hidden; not revealed; also, in preparation.

=leg-bail=: escape by flight.

=Ley´ den jar=: a glass bottle used to accumulate electricity.

=log´ a rith´ mic tables=: mathematical tables used to calculate a ship's position.

=Long House=: a name for the Iroquois Indians, derived from their long communal houses.

=lon´ gi tude=: distance on the earth's surface from east to west.

=lu´ mi na ry=: a body that gives light.

=Ma belle mere= (mare): "My pretty mother."

=Ma´ gi ans=: wise men of ancient Persia.

=mal´ a dy=: disease.

=Mal voi sin= (mal vwa zan´): a Norman baron.

=man´ i cure set=: instruments used on the finger nails.

=man´ tel et=: a movable shelter of wood.

=ma rau´ ders=: robbers.

=mar´ i=: husband.

=masque= (mask): a kind of theatrical performance.

=mas´ que rad´ ing=: going in disguise.

=ma ter´ nal=: motherly.

=mat´ ins=: a morning service of the ancient church.

=mer´ ce na ry=: a hired soldier; a hireling.

=mer´ cu ry=: quicksilver, used in the thermometer.

=me tal´ lic=: composed of metal.

=Michael mas eve= (mick´ el mas): September 28.

=Mi´ das=: a king in Greek myth whose touch turned everything to gold.

=mod´ i fi ca´ tion=: change.

=Mon´ a cans=: an Indian tribe originally living west of Richmond, Virginia.

=mon´ o syl´ la ble=: a single syllable.

=Mort pour la patrie=: "Dead for country."

=Mount joy St. Dennis= (den ny´): the war cry of ancient France.

=muf´ ti= (ty): ordinary clothes.

=na bob=: a millionaire: a wealthy man from India.

=na´ per y=: table linen.

=Naz´ a rene=: a name sometimes applied to Christians, from Jesus of Nazareth.

=ne go´ ti a ting=: bargaining.

=niche= (nitch): an opening in a wall.

=no´ men il´ lis le´ gi o=: "the name of them is legion."

=nor´ mal=: accustomed; usual.

=nu´ cle us=: a central mass.

=nu´ tri ment=: nourishment.

=ob´ du rate=: not to be moved.

=o bei sance= (o ba´ sans): a bending of the body; a bow.

=ob lique´= (leek): a slanting direction.

=old fields=: fields no longer cultivated.

=o´ pa line=: the color of opals; grayish-white.

=O´ pe chan´ ca nough= (no): the leading Indian chief in Virginia in the early period.

=op´ tion=: choice.

=op´ u lence=: wealth.

=order=: a society of monks, with an organization and convents.

=o´ ri en ta tion=: adjustment.

=os ten´ si ble=: apparent; professed.

=pad´ u a soy´=: a rich, heavy silk.

=Pa mun´ keys=: an Indian tribe originally living along the Pamunkey and York rivers in Virginia.

=pan´ de mo´ ni um=: the place of devils; also, and usually, a riotous scene.

=pan´ nier= (yer): a wicker basket.

=par´ ley=: talk; discussion.

=Pas´ pa heghs= (hays): an Indian tribe of Virginia.

=patched=: adorned with small patches of black cloth.

=pa´ thos=: sadness.

=pa visse´=: a large shield.

=Pax´ vo bis´ cum=: "Peace be with you!"

=pem´ mi can=: powdered meat pressed into cakes.

=per´ i scope=: an instrument projecting above a submarine which gives a view of the sea surface.

=per´ pen dic´ u lar=: straight up and down.

=per´ pen dic´ u lar´ i ty=: straightness up and down.

=pet´ ri fied=: turned to stone.

=phil´ o soph´ i cal=: wise; learned.

=pil´ lion= (yun): a cushion used by women in riding horseback.

=pi lote= (pe loat´): an aeroplane pilot.

=pin´ na cle=: summit.

=pipe=: a musical instrument resembling a flute.

=plain´ tive ly=: complainingly.

=plan´ i sphere=: the representation of the earth on a plane; a map of the world.

=Ple ia des= (ple´ ya dees): a group of six stars in the constellation Taurus.

=pol lute´=: to stain; to befoul.

=po made´=: a perfumed ointment.

=po ma´ tum=: a perfumed ointment.

=pon´ der a ble=: weighable; having heaviness.

=pon´ der ous=: heavy; unwieldy.

=pon´ iard= (yard): a dagger.

=por´ tents=: signs; omens.

=Pow´ ha tan=: the James river; also the name of Opechancanough's predecessor.

=pre ca´ ri ous=: uncertain; dangerous.

=pre´ con cep´ tion=: a foreshadowing; an idea of something to come.

=pri me´ val=: original.

=prim´ i tive=: original; coming down from afar.

=Pro´ cy on= (si): a first-magnitude star.

=pro di gious= (pro dij´ us): immense.

=pro ject´ ile=: something projected with force, or fired.

=pur veyed´=: brought.

=quarter-staff=: a short pole, used as a walking-staff and a weapon.

=ra´ di us=: the distance from the center of a body to its surface.

=rail´ ler y=: jesting.

=ran´ som=: a sum paid for the release of a prisoner.

=rar´ e fac´ tion=: the making thin; less dense.

=ra´ ti o=: rate; measure.

=re cip´ ro ca ted=: returned.

=re cum´ bent=: lying down.

=re fec´ to ry=: a dining-room in a convent.

=re frac´ tion=: the bending from a straight line which occurs when a ray of light passes out of the air into water.

=reg´ u la tor=: a contrivance for controlling motion.

=re mu´ ner a ted=: rewarded; presented with.

=re nowned´=: famous.

=re plete´=: filled.