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In a short time the three girls came up. "What a rosy little thing you are, Milly," her uncle said; "where do you get your plump cheeks, and your bright color? I wish you could give the receipt to Julie and Justine. Why, if you were to blow very hard, I do think you would blow them both down." "I am really surprised at you, Monsieur Duburg," his wife said, angrily.
His wife was about to make an angry reply, when the arrival of the four boys bearing in triumph the last basket of plums changed the conversation; and shortly afterwards, Madame Duburg remarking that the evening was damp, and that she did not like Julie and Justine to be out in it any later, the Du burgs took their leave.
They said no word, however, about their own promotion; having agreed to keep that matter secret, until the uniforms were completed. They had also asked their cousin to say nothing about it, at home; as otherwise their uncle would have been sure to have come in to congratulate them, and the secret would have been at an end, at once. An hour later, Monsieur Duburg came in to see them.
At a rapid pace for they were running for life the little knot of franc tireurs dashed forward. One or two fell from the fire of the cavalry and, as they were fifty yards distant from the wood, there was a cry and Philippe Duburg fell to the ground.
"He is getting on well; and will walk, the doctor hopes, in another fortnight, or three weeks; but I have not seen him for although your uncle comes in, as usual, for a chat with me Madame Duburg has never forgiven me for having, as she says, influenced him in allowing the boys to go; and of course, since this wound of Philippe's, she has been more angry than ever." The boys laughed.
Their cousins, Louis and Philippe Duburg, are almost as fond of cricket, and other games, and of taking long rambles for miles round, as they are themselves. Other boys have also taken to these amusements and, consequently, you would see more square figures, more healthy faces at the Lycee at Dijon than at most other French schools.
"But, my dear sister-in-law," Madame Duburg said, earnestly, "do you recall to yourself that Milly is nearly fourteen years old; that she will soon be becoming a woman, that in another three years you will be searching for a husband for her?
"We might be worse off than this, a long way, Ralph," said Louis Duburg, as Ralph took his place on the straw next to him. "That we might, Louis. The fire looks cheerful, too, and the nights are getting very cold." "That they are, Ralph. "Ah! Here is supper. I am quite ready for that, too."
It was, to Madame Duburg, a terrible thing that her boys instead of being always tidy and orderly, and ready, when at home, to accompany her for a walk should come home flushed, hot, and untidy, with perhaps a swelled cheek or a black eye, from the effects of a blow from a cricket ball or boxing glove.
Louis Duburg, and Tim, were with the party at the village. The attack upon the village was to take place at half-past five; and never did moments appear so slow, to the boys, as those which passed as they awaited the signal. At last the silence was broken by the sharp crack of a rifle, followed by three or four others. "There goes the Prussian sentry, and there is our reply," Major Tempe said.
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