Page:Armistice Day.djvu/439

Rh that the soul of the dying soldier has come through that door on its way to rejoin its regiment!

(nodding gravely). If I were a poet. (As he speaks the second door opens deliberately. He watches it with a smile; with curious fascination.)

Gad! (The door closes of its own accord.)

(repeating as if hypnotized). To rejoin its regiment!

(after a pause). You didn't notice—

(sharply). What?

(mildly). To me—the room seemed somewhat lighter for an instant.

Bah!

A poetic conception of yours: the soul joins the regiment of souls! All around us—above us—within us—the unseen host gathers its forces! (There is the very, very faint sound of a bugle in the distance.)

(under his breath). Did you hear?

I heard.

A bugle!

Yes. (They listen, and gradually there commences a curious, hollow, rhythmic tramp. Very subdued at first, it increases