He watched the face with a sort of artistic interest for a few seconds--the drooping shadows, the apparently cavernous eyes, the deep-shaded bar of the mustache across the face.

In the wavering light cast from below it resembled the face of a vindictive beast.

Then the Major whispered, between his puffs: "Frankie ?" "Yes." "Oh! you're awake too, are you ?" "Yes." A minute later, though they had spoken only in whispers, Gertie drew a long sighing breath from her corner of the shed and they could hear that she, too, sat up and cleared her throat.
"Well, this is a pretty job," said the Major jovially to the company generally.

"What's the matter with us ?" Frank said nothing.

He lay still, with a sense of extraordinary content and comfort, and heard Gertie presently lie down again.