An open telegram and a bundle of letters lay on her lap, her hands loosely folded over them.
She was staring at the water and the hills, with absent eyes, and her small face wore an expression--relaxed and sweet--like that of a comforted child, which touched Miss Martin profoundly.
'So you've heard ?--you poor thing!' said the elder woman smiling, as she laid a friendly hand on the girl's shoulder.
Nelly looked up--and drew a long deep breath.
'He's all right, and the battalion's going to have three weeks' rest--behind the lines.' Her dark eyes shone.

Hester Martin sat down on the turf beside her.
'Capital! When did you hear last ?' 'Just the day before the "push." Of course he couldn't tell me anything--but somehow I knew.

And then the papers since--they're pretty ghastly,' said Nelly, with a faint laugh and a shiver.

'The farm under the hill there'-- she pointed--'you know about them ?' 'Yes.

I saw them after the telegram,' said Miss Martin, sadly.