My father is out--not that that would make any difference." John entered the tent, and sat exhausted upon a box.

Walter hastened to get some food, which he set before him, and poured out a large cup of wine and water, and then stood, looking on in awed silence, while John devoured his meal.
"I have wondered, a thousand times," he said at last, when John had finished, "what you were doing in there, or whether you left before the siege began.

How did you get out ?" "I floated down the river to the mouth, beyond your lines, last night; and then worked round here.

I thought I might find you." "Well, I am glad indeed that you are out," Walter said.

"Every time the mortar sent a shell into the town, I was thinking of you, and wishing that I could share meals with you, for, of course, we know that you are suffering horribly in the town." "Horribly!" John repeated.