There's no help for it now.

We'll have to do like the rest--enjoy ourselves a bit while we can, and stand up to our fight when the trouble comes.' She took her hand away, and rode on with her rein loose and her head down.

I could see the tears falling down her face, but after a bit she put herself to rights, and we rode quietly up to the door.

Mother was working away in her chair, and father walking up and down before the door smoking.
When we were letting go the horses, father comes up and says-- 'I've got a bit of news for you, boys; Starlight's been took, and the darkie with him.' 'Where ?' I said.

Somehow I felt struck all of a heap by hearing this.
I'd got out of the way of thinking they'd drop on him.