He saw the pink on the eastern hills turning to blue and then spreading to the higher skies.

The day was going to be clear and cold.

He walked to the window and looked up at the skies, seeking for aeroplanes, after the habit that had now grown upon him.

But the sky was speckless and no sounds came from the Gratz farmhouse.

Doubtless the German officers quartered there were sleeping late, knowing that they had no need to hurry to the front, since the fighting in the hills and mountains was desultory.
But the crisp clear blue of the cold morning was wonderfully suitable to the hosts of the air and they were at work.