Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 18, 2025
In almost complete forgetfulness of the impending enemy attack, the jubilant Americans crowded about the machine and cheered its occupants to the echo, as a small door was opened and two French faces could be seen. In a few words Van Derwater explained the situation, receiving the discouraging information that no troops were anywhere near the vicinity.
Van Derwater, said the chairman hoarsely; and a murmur indicated that he had voiced the wish of the gathering. Slowly, almost ponderously, the diplomat rose, bowing to the chairman and then to Watson, who was looking straight ahead, his face flushed crimson. 'Mr. Chairman Mr. Watson Gentlemen, said Van Derwater.
Not one word was written but I put my very life-blood into it. The arrival of tea put a temporary stop to the author's self-revelation, and his host busied himself with his hospitable duties. Selwyn passed his hand querulously over his face. The clergyman looked at him with a feeling of pervading compassion. 'I was going to ask about Gerard Van Derwater, said Selwyn, 'How is he?
Telling a non-commissioned officer to take his place, Selwyn followed the messenger along the road until they came to the spot which Van Derwater had chosen for his headquarters. Daylight was emerging from its retreat, and there was the promise of a warm day in the glowing east. 'You sent for me, sir? he said. 'Yes. You might question these two British stragglers.
'Austin, he said, with the merest inclination of his head, and his arms hanging wearily by his sides, 'we live in difficult times. With an angry gesture, Selwyn left the room, and taking his coat and hat from the negro, went again into the street. Closing his study door, Van Derwater moved slowly to his chair, and lifting his book, opened it.
Messieurs, the machine-guns are gathered there straight across, about forty yards from the great tree. The Frenchmen tried to locate the spot indicated, but were obviously puzzled and too excited to listen attentively. Van Derwater was about to repeat his instructions, when Dick Durwent shouldered his way into the group. Men's voices were hushed at the sight of his blazing eyes.
"Who taught you how to run?" he at last broke out. "Wasn't it me? Didn't I give you lessons every morning in the old lot? And then didn't you go and beat me when Len Fogarty, Charlie Anderson, Billy Van Derwater, and all the other fellows were there?" Cecelia Anne returned his angry gaze with her blue and loyal eyes. "I didn't beat you 't all," she answered.
'Please remain here, said Selwyn, 'and I will motion you when to come. He walked towards the solitary figure, who heard him, and turned a little to greet him. 'Is that you, Austin? 'Yes, Van, answered Selwyn. 'How could you tell? With his old kindly, tired smile the ex-diplomat put out his hand, which Selwyn gripped heartily. 'I suppose it is nature's compensation, said Van Derwater calmly.
With a roar the American torrent burst its bounds and swept towards the enemy. Selwyn leaped in advance of his men, his voice uttering a long, pulsating cry, like a bloodhound that has found its trail. He did not see, over towards the centre, that Van Derwater had stopped half-way and had fallen to his knees, both hands covering his eyes.
His old friend was interested, courteous, intellectually even cordial, but Selwyn knew he was being kept at a distance. He forced the talk to old intimacies recalled the game when, together, they had crossed Yale's line in the closing moments of the great Rugby match brought back a host of joint experiences, trivial in themselves, but hallowed by time. Van Derwater remembered them all.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking