A big fire burned in the stove, and round it was a wide semicircle of chairs.

Against the wall were more, and a small table or two stood about.

Nearly every chair had its occupant--all sorts and conditions of officers, mostly in undress, and he noticed some fast asleep, with muddied boots.

There was a look on their faces, even in sleep, and Peter guessed that some at least were down from the line on their way to a brief leave.

More and more came in continuously.