camp and the
railway-station, coming steadily toward the camp, was a very straggly
line of white figures. As they came closer, one saw they were women
and girls, fresh and dainty in summer frocks and hats, all carrying big
baskets, suitcases, and all manner of strange and weirdly shaped
parcels. A few odd males among them, mostly nearing sixty, or under
ten. Some were portly, puffing a little, some old, their heavy parcels
making their lips quiver and their step slow--and girls, just
multitudes of them, all sizes, ages, and shapes--blondes, brunettes,
in-betweens, and from every rank in the social scale--mostly in groups
of any number from two to twenty--some chaperoned, some not. Here and
there one saw one alone carrying an extra heavy suitcase, which somehow
you knew contained extra-specially good things to eat, and when you
looked at her face under her big hat a certain something there told you
that on the third finger of the left hand under her glove you would
surely find a diamond half-loop, and even, perhaps, a _very_ plain new
gold band!

From the drill-ground the soldiers could see this crowd of womenfolk
steadily coming toward them, and grew acutely aware of their shapeless,
grubby dungarees, dusty boots, and perspiring faces under tired-looking
white hats. Agonized glances were turned on the sergeant-major as,
with his face utterly expressionless, ignoring the oncoming feminine
figures, he still right-about-turned and quick-marched them. The
fluttering white frocks came closer and closer, and as they began to
get near the gate imploring glances were turned in the direction of the
guard, praying they would not let any one in. Then suddenly, to their
immense relief, they were dismissed; then it was just one mad rush for
tents. Swearing breathlessly as they bumped into each other or tripped
over tent-pegs and ropes, they ran, putting on an extra spurt every
time they glanced over their shoulders and saw the women advancing upon
them in mass formation. Changing was soon accomplished, not without a
good deal of confusion, mixing up of garments, and splashing water
around, but when they were finally all dressed and again in khaki
uniforms smiles of satisfaction spread over clean and shiny faces as
they glanced down at neat uniforms and well-polished boots--Smoke-o
that day had seen much activity in the business of brushing and
polishing.

[Illustration: "On Show" Before Leaving Home.]

Down at the gate