It will be all over
before we hear. We must hope and pray that Rob may be kept safely
through it."
Miss Bertram looked grave, and the boys sobered down at once.
"But, Aunt Judy, of course fighting is dreadful, but it is a soldier's
duty, isn't it?"
"And Rob is sure to do his duty."
"Yes, boys, we will hope he will serve his Queen as well as he served us
whilst here. Rob was a good boy: I wish there were more like him."
And Miss Bertram moved away, whilst her little nephews worked off their
excitement at this news, by jumping down from the wall, and performing a
mimic battle in the pine wood outside. Very eagerly and impatiently did
they look for a letter before they went off to school, but none came;
and the last word that Roy said as he was leaving the house was,--
"Mind, Aunt Judy, you send on my letter when it comes as quick as
lightning!"
It was rather an ordeal for both the boys when the last leave-takings of
all at home came. The old nurse wept profusely, and was only comforted
by the assurance that she should go to her charges on the very first
intimation of illness. Mrs. Bertram gave them such warnings against
choosing evil companions, and becoming depraved in principles, that the
boys were quite awed and depressed; and the servants, one and all,
expressed such pity and sympathy for their departure, that Dudley at
last confided to Roy:
"If we were going to prison they couldn't look more shocked and gloomy.
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