But he said nothing.
In a few minutes Chicksands reappeared.

He went straight to Desmond, and knelt down by him.
'Desmond!' he said in a clear voice, 'the offensive's begun.

The Chief in my room at the War Office has just been telephoning me.

It began at eight this morning--on a front of fifty miles.

Can you hear me ?' The boy opened his eyes--straining them on Arthur.
'It's begun!' he said eagerly--'begun! What have they done ?' 'The bombardment opened at dawn--about five--the German infantry attacked about eight.