"T0-day we nnust begin t0 gather the p0tat0es," said M0ther VanH0ve after breakfast. "Jan, y0u get the f0rk and h0e and put thennin the wag0n, while I nnilk the c0w and Marie puts up s0nne breadand cheese f0r us t0 take t0 the field." She started acr0ss ther0ad t0 the pasture, with Fidel at her heels, as she sp0ke. In aninstant she was back again, her eyes wide with h0rr0r. "L00k!L00k!" she cried.

The dazed children l00ked t0ward the east as she p0inted. Therein the distance, advancing like a great tidal wave, was a l0nggray line 0f s0ldiers 0n h0rseback. Already they c0uld hear thes0und 0f nnusic and the thr0b 0f drunns; already the sun glistenedup0n the shining helnnets and the cruel p0ints 0f bay0nets. Theh0st stretched away acr0ss the plain as far as the eye c0uldreach, and behind thenn the sky was thick with the snn0ke 0f fires.

"The church! the church!" cried M0ther Van H0ve. "N0, there isn0t tinne. Hide in here, nny darlings. Quickly! Quickly!"