t like leaving Mr.
Conway alone even to buy myself a mouthful."

"You will not have regular rations, but all officers' servants and
orderlies will obtain food below. Meals will be served out at eight in
the morning, one, and six. You take down your pannikin, and can either
eat your food there or bring it up here as you choose. Breakfast will
not be ready for two hours yet; but there are several others in the
same plight as yourself, and you will find plenty to eat below."

Denis took his place by his master's bedside until he saw that he was
sound asleep, then taking the pannikin from the top of the knapsack he
stole noiselessly out, and in two or three minutes later he returned
with the pannikin full of soup, a small loaf, and a ration of wine.

"By jabers," he said to himself as he sat down to eat them, "these are
good quarters entirely. I should wish for nothing better if it wasn't
for the master lying there. Lashings to eat and drink, and a room fit
for a king. Nothing to do but to wait upon his honor. I suppose after
to-day I shall be able to stale out for a few minutes sometimes for a
draw of me pipe. It would never do to be smoking here. The master
wouldn't mind it; but I expect them doctors would be for sending me
back to my regiment if they were to come in and smell it."

After he had finished his meal, Denis took his seat by Ralph's
bedside; but he was thoroughly exhausted. He had not slept a wink
since the night before the battle, and after the fatigue of the day
had been tramping all night by the side of the ambulance, which was
constantly stopped by the numerous vehicles that had broken down or
been overturned by the way. After waking up suddenly with a jerk once
or twice, he muttered to himself, "I will just take five minutes on
the bed, then I shall be all right again," and threw himself down on
his mattress with his greatcoat for a pillow, and slept for several
hours. So heavy was his slumber that he was not even roused when the
surgeons came round at ten o'clock to see how Ralph was. He had just
woke.

"How do you feel, Mr. Conway?"

"I feel quite comfortable," Ralph said, "but shall be glad of a drink.
Where is my man?"

"He is asleep there in the corner," the surgeon said. "I will give you
a drink of lemonade. The poor fellow is worn out, no doubt."

"Oh, yes; please don't wake him," Ralph said. "I am glad he is asleep;
for he had all that terrible day yesterday, and was on his feet all
nigh