t fill with pride in his comrades.

"By Jove," he said to himself, "the boys are all right."

"Fine body of men, sir," said the sergeant, who with his comrades had
gathered about the gateway.

"Not too bad, eh, sergeant?" said Barry, with modest pride.

"Sir," said the sergeant in a low voice, "the young lady is up at the
window to your left."

"Sergeant, you're a brick! Thank you," said Barry. He turned in his
saddle, and saw above him a window filled with smiling nurses looking
down at the marching column, and among them his friend of the night
before. Her face was turned away from him, and her eyes were upon the
column, eagerly searching the ranks of the marching men.

"Sergeant," said Barry, "your Commanding Officer is a very busy man, and
has a great many things to occupy his attention. Don't you think it is
quite possible that that message of mine might escape his memory, and
don't you think it would be really more satisfactory if I could deliver
that message in person?"

The sergeant tilted his hat over one eye, and scratched his head.

"Well, sir, the Commanding Officer does 'ave a lot of things to think
about, and though he doesn't often forget, he might. Besides, I really
think the young lady would like to know just how the coffee went."

"Sergeant, you are a man of discernment. I'll just wait here until the
battalion passes."

He moved his horse a few steps out from the gateway, and swung him
around so that he stood facing the window. The movement caught the
attention of the V. A. D. in the window. She glanced down, saw him, and,
leaning far out, waved her hand in eager greeting and with a smile of
warm friendliness.

He had only time to wave his hand in reply, when the head of the column
drew opposite the gateway, forcing him to turn his back to the window
and stand at salute.

The Commanding Officer acknowledged the salute, glanced up at the
window, waved his hand to the group of nurses there gathered, then
glanced back at Barry, with a smile full of meaning, and rode on.

After the band had passed the entrance, it ceased playing, and the men,
catching sight of Barry and the smiling group at the window above him,
broke softly into a rather suggestive music hall ditty, at that time
popular with the soldiers:

"Hello! Hello! Who's your lady friend;
Who's the little blossom by your side;
I saw you, with a girl or two,
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! I'm surprised at you."

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