Of course they won't be kept standing in line; but when troops are ordered to be in readiness to march at a moment's notice, on such a business as this, it means that they will all be assembled.

Then probably they will be allowed to lie down, and perhaps will light bivouac fires.

But it means business, I can tell you." "Then I for one shan't go to the ball," Ralph said.

"No doubt it will be a pretty sight; but there have been lots of balls, and this bivouac will be a new experience altogether." "I don't know that you are wrong, Conway," Captain O'Connor said.
"Beside, you will probably find the colonel will issue orders that only a certain number of officers may go.

I shall look in for an hour or two just to see the scene.