“We've had a nasty smack in the eye off the
coast of Denmark," one of them said.
It was our first word of the great naval battle, that garbled report that indicated a sweeping German victory. It was what the army in the field got, and the army took it as these men took it, with a sullen anger, a fear only that it might lengthen the war. If anything it strengthened the determination in the young faces. It made one feel what a hopeless task it is to try to discourage this growing British army. But the most arresting element was this new willingness to face the hard facts, to polish nothing for themselves or for the stranger within their gates.
Sixteen of our ships gone and only one Hun!" the staff man groaned. “It won't sweep us off the seas, by gad, but it's tough."
One questioned if the heavy fire we had experienced the day before hadn't been the German fashion of expressing joy. If that was so such a celebration wouldn't wear itself out all at once. It made the trip we had arranged for Arras even then less inviting. The day's inspection lost its interest. We went about grumbling.
"When can we get a paper?"
We asked every one we met for papers.
"Transport isn't in yet," was the usual reply.
