Half an hour later, as he was leisurely undressing, and drinking the cup
of cocoa which Monroe had prepared for him, a message summoned him to
the orderly room. There he found Colonel Leighton with Major Bayne and
the company commanders.
"I have a communication here for you, Captain Dunbar," said the O. C.,
"from your D. A. C. S.," and he passed him a little slip.
It was the announcement of his "leave."
"Well, what do you think of that?" said the O. C. "How does that suit
you?"
"Well, sir," said Barry, uncertainty and hesitation in his voice, "I'd
like the leave, all right, but can I conveniently be spared just now?"
"Most certainly," said the O. C., "and, what's more, I want you to go
to-night. Can you get ready?"
"I suppose so, sir," said Barry, wearily.
"By Jove! listen to him," said the O. C. "He hates to leave us, doesn't
he?" And they all laughed. "Now, Dunbar," he said, "no more posing. You
catch the leave train to-night at Poperinghe. As a matter of fact, I
think it starts somewhere about twelve.
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