The past week then with us had been tranquil and easy.

On my arrival at the "Point" in the Forest I was met at once by a new atmosphere.

For one thing the war here was on the very top of us.

Only a few yards away, towards the end of the garden, they were digging trenches.
Somewhere beyond the windows, in the Forest, a battery had established itself near a clearing at the edge of a hill, the guns disguised with leaves and branches.

Soldiers were moving incessantly to and fro.