the drinking glasses he could lay hands on, making his departure just as
that worthy Officer was coming up the stairs.

The house was evidently of the "nouveau riche" type. If there was in it
nothing that could actually offend the eye, there was certainly nothing
to satisfy it. There was a profusion of gilt mirrors, and an aching lack
of pictures: the lighting was too new and glaring: the upholstery too
flimsy. But there were baths and soap! It was too late for the baths,
but the soap quickly disappeared.

Just when they were settling themselves drowsily to enjoy a real sleep,
free from the fear of a morning attack, protected from the damp of dawn,
and with quilts of down to cover them, who should come in but the
Colonel!




CHAPTER XIV

THE OCCUPATION OF VILLIERS


"I'm sorry," he said, "but we've got to parade at two in the morning."

As soon as the door had closed behind him a perfect volley of abuse was
heard. They could not dismiss from their minds the thought that all this
sort of thing was unnecessary. And this was very natural, as no one had
had sufficient courage to tell the regimental officer how serious the
position was.