'He means the year, not the thermometer,' said Nurse Blaber, throwing pebbles at the cold sea. '"_And two men scalded thus explaining my hoots._" (The idea of telling me that!) "_Subsequently silly clergyman passenger ran up behind her calling for joke, 'Friend, all is lost,' thus accounting very words._"' Nurse Blaber purred audibly. '"_She says only remembers being upset minute or two. Unspeakable relief. Best love Nursey, who is jewel. Get out of her what she would like best._" Oh, I oughtn't to have read that,' said Miss Henschil. 'It doesn't matter. I don't want anything,' said Nurse Blaber, 'and if I did I shouldn't get it.' 'HELEN ALL ALONE' There was darkness under Heaven For an hour's space-- Darkness that we knew was given Us for special grace. Sun and moon and stars were hid, God had left His Throne, When Helen came to me, she did, Helen all alone! Side by side (because our fate Damned us ere our birth) We stole out of Limbo Gate Looking for the Earth. Hand in pulling hand amid Fear no dreams have known, Helen ran with me, she did, Helen all alone! When the Horror passing speech Hunted us along, Each laid hold on each, and each Found the other strong. In the teeth of things forbid And Reason overthrown, Helen stood by me, she did, Helen all alone! When, at last, we heard the Fires Dull and die away, When, at last, our linked desires Dragged us up to day, When, at last, our souls were rid Of what that Night had shown, Helen passed from me, she did, Helen all alone! Let her go and find a mate, As I will find a bride, Knowing naught of Limbo Gate Or Who are penned inside. There is knowledge God forbid More than one should own. So Helen went from me, she did, Oh my soul, be glad she did! Helen all alone! The Honours of War (1911) A hooded motor had followed mine from the Guildford Road up the drive to The Infant's ancestral hall, and had turned off to the stables. 'We're having a quiet evening together. Stalky's upstairs changing. Dinner's at 7.15 sharp, because we're hungry. His room's next to yours,' said The Infant, nursing a cobwebbed bottle of Burgundy. Then I found Lieutenant-Colonel A.L. Corkran, I.A., who borrowed a collar-stud and told me about the East and his Sikh regiment. 'And are your subalterns as good as ever?' I asked. 'Amazin'--simply amazin'! All I've got to do is to find 'em jobs. They keep touchin' their caps to me and askin' for more work. 'Come at me with their tongues hangin' out. _I_ used to run the other way at their age.' 'And when they err?' said I. 'I suppose they do sometimes?' 'Then they run to me again to weep with remorse over their virgin peccadilloes. I never cuddled my Colonel when I was in trouble. Lambs--positive lambs!' 'And what do you say to 'em?' 'Talk to 'em like a papa. Tell 'em how I can't understand it, an' how shocked I am, and how grieved their parents'll be; and throw in a. . . . . . .