came to reclaim her offspring--this time with
the worry lines smoothed out of her face. She sat down by Cecilia and
talked, and presently it appeared that she also was sailing in the
Nauru.

"Indeed, I thought it was only wives who were going," she said. "I
didn't know sisters were permitted."

"I believe General Harran managed our passages," Cecilia said. "He has
been very kind to my brother."

"Well, you should have a merry voyage, for there will be scarcely any
young girls on board," said Mrs. Burton, her new friend. "Most of the
women on the transports are brides, of course. Ever so many of our men
have married over here."

"You are an Australian?" Cecilia asked.

"Oh, yes. My husband isn't. He was an old regular officer, and returned
to his regiment as soon as war broke out. I don't think there will be
many women on board: the Nauru isn't a family ship, you know."

"What is that?" Cecilia queried.

"Oh, a ship with hundreds of women and children--privates' wives and
families, as well as officers'. I believe they are rather awful to
travel on--they must be terrible in rough weather. The non-family ships
carry only a few officers' wives, as a rule: a much more comfortable
arrangement for the lucky few."

"And we are among the lucky few?"

"Yes. I only hope my small boys won't be a nuisance. I've never been
without a nurse for them until last night. However, I suppose I'll soon
get into their ways."

"You must let me help you," Cecilia said. "I love babies." She stroked
Tim's curly head as she spoke: Dickie, his little brother, had suddenly
fallen asleep on his mother's knee.

Mrs. Burton smiled her thanks.

"Well, it is pleasant to think we shan't go on board knowing no one,"
she said. "I hope our cabins are not far apart. Oh, here is my husband;
I hope that means all our luggage is safely on board."

Colonel Burton came up--a pleasant soldierly man, bearing the
unmistakable stamp of the regular officer. They were still chatting
when Bob arrived, to be introduced--a ceremony which appeared hardly
necessary in the case of the colonel and himself.

"We've met at intervals since last night in various places where they
hide luggage," said the colonel. "I'm beginning to turn faint at the
sight of a trunk!"

"It's the trunks I can't get sight of that make me tremble," grinned
Bob. "One of mine disappeared mysteriously this morning, and finally,
after a breathless hunt, turned up in a lamp-room--your bi