How dreadfully sudden all this was! Just in the midst of their preparations to go away.

That was put aside now.

They must stay behind and do their duty.

Mamma had presided at a committee for providing the troops with refreshment at the railway station; she herself and Malvine were also members.

There were meetings every day, and then there was running about here, there, and everywhere, to collect money, enlist sympathy, make purchases, and finally to see to the arrangements at the departure of the troops.
"It is hard work," sighed Frau Ellrich; "I have dozens of letters to write every day, and can hardly keep up with the correspondence." Herr von Pechlar said he regretted that he was obliged to take to the sword; he would much rather have helped the ladies with the pen.
Wilhelm felt that the moral atmosphere was intolerable.