from vile English idolaters. Then more men came up and joined them. They
threw stones, and threatened to duck Sister Cleophee and the two other
Sisters in the river. And they might have tried to, though we senior girls
got round them--at least, some of us did--and said they should try that
on us first----"

"That was courageous."

"We"--Lynette laughed a little nervously--"we were awfully frightened, all
the same."

"My dear, without fear there would have been no courage. Then I am told an
English officer interposed?"

"He was coming from the direction of the Hospital--a tall thin man in
Service khaki, with a riding-sjambok under his arm. But it would have been
as good as a sword if he had used it on those men. When he lifted it in
speaking to them they huddled together like sheep."

"You have no idea who he was, of course?"

"I do not know his name, but I heard one of the Boers say, 'That slim
duyvel with the sjambok is the new Military Commandant.' Another officer
was with him, much younger, taller, and with fair hair. He----"

"I hope I shall soon have an opportunity of thanking the Commandant
personally. As it is, I shall write. Now go, my dear."

Lynette took her familiar kiss, and dropped her formal curtsy, and went
with the red sunset touching her squirrel-coloured hair to flame. The
tea-bell rang as she shut the door behind her, and directly afterwards the
gate-bell clanged, sending an iron shout echoing through the whitewashed,
tile-paved passages, as if heralding a visitor who would not be denied. An
Irish novice who was on duty with the Sister attendant on the gate came
shortly afterwards to the room of the Mother-Superior, bringing a card on
a little wooden tray.

The Mother, the opening sentences of her note of thanks wet upon the sheet
before her, took the card, and knew that the letter need not be sent.

"This gentleman desired to see me?"

"He did so, Reverend Mother," whispered the timid Irish girl, who stood in
overwhelming awe of the majestic personality before her. "'Ask the
Mother-Superior will she consent to receive me?' says he. 'If she won't,
say that she must.' Says I: 'Sir, I'd not drame to presume give Herself a
message that bowld, but if you'll please to wait, I'll tell her what
you're after saying.'"

"Quite right, Katie. Now go and tell Sister Tobias to show him into the
parlour. I will be there directly."

Katie bobbed and vanished. When the Mother-Superior came into the par