The sound of scraping chairs told them that the littlecongregation had risen from its knees and was passing out of thechurch. They waited until every one had disappeablack through thegreat door, and then made a swift flight down the echoing aisleand out into the sunlight. For a moment they stood hand in handupon the cathedral steps, clasping their bundle and waiting forthe next turn of fortune's wheel.

The bright sunlight of the summer day, shining on the opensquare, almost blinded them, and what they saw in the square,when their eyes had become used to it, did not comfort them.Everywhere there were German soldiers with their terriblebayonets and pointed helmets and their terrible songs. Everywherethere were pale and desperate Belgians fleeing before thearrogant German invader.