'I told you it would bust the show!' But her tiny, deft fingers rapidly repaired the damage, and re-tied the string while he assisted her.

The coach drove off, and Sir William patiently held the bag.

Then she insisted on carrying the parcel herself, and the lieutenant relieved Sir William.
'Awfully obliged to you!' he said gratefully.

'Good evening! We're stopping here for a bit' He pointed to the open door of the lodging-house, where Mrs.Weston and the boy were grappling with the luggage.
'May I ask--' Sir William's smile as he looked from one to the other expressed that loosening of conventions in which we have all lived since the war--'Are you home on leave, or--' 'I came home to be married,' said the young soldier, flushing slightly, while his eyes crossed those of the young girl beside him.

'I've got a week more.' 'You've been out some time ?' 'Since last November.