Upon my word, for the last two months I have been ashamed to call myself an Englishman.

However, there is an end of it now.

I knew that they would never give in and desert us," and the old man straightened his crooked back and slapped his chest, looking as proud and gallant as though he were five-and-twenty instead of seventy years of age.
The rest of that day passed without any further news, and so did the following two days, but on the third, which was March 23, the storm broke.
About eleven o'clock in the forenoon Bessie was employed upon her household duties as usual, or rather she had just finished them.

Her uncle had returned from his usual after-breakfast round upon the farm, and was standing in the sitting-room, his broad felt hat in one hand and a red pocket-handkerchief in the other, with which he was polishing his bald head, while he chattered to Bessie through the open door.
"No news of the advance, Bessie dear ?" "No, uncle," she replied with a sigh, her blue eyes filling with tears, for she was thinking of one of whom there was also no news.
"Well, never mind.

These things take a little time, especially with our soldiers, who move so slowly.