After all I was an amateur soldier, and I wasn't certain of my powers with a bigger command.
In Charing Cross Road I thought of Mary, and the brigade seemed suddenly less attractive.

I hoped the war wouldn't last much longer, though with Russia heading straight for the devil I didn't know how it was going to stop very soon.

I was determined to see Mary before I left, and I had a good excuse, for I had taken my orders from her.

The prospect entranced me, and I was mooning along in a happy dream, when I collided violently with in agitated citizen.
Then I realized that something very odd was happening.
There was a dull sound like the popping of the corks of flat soda-water bottles.

There was a humming, too, from very far up in the skies.
People in the street were either staring at the heavens or running wildly for shelter.