Chapter 21: Home.

It was a long journey from Vierzon to Dijon. At Bourges Ralph had taken advantage of a delay of some hours--necessitated by the fact that no train was going--to get some suitable clothes, instead of the peasant's suit in which he had traversed the lines. He had, of course, brought his papers with him; so that he had no difficulty, whatever, in getting on by the train. But the train itself made but slow work of it. Bourbaki had passed west only the week before, with all his army, upon his march to the relief of Belfort; and the railway was completely choked. However, Ralph was not inclined to grumble at the cause of his delay; for it was only upon Bourbaki's approach that the Germans had evacuated Dijon--which was now held by Garibaldi's irregulars, and a considerable force of Mobiles.

So great were the delays that it was evening when the train reached Dijon. Ralph had scarcely stepped out on to the platform when Percy bounded upon him, and threw his arms round his neck.

"Dear, dear old Ralph! Thank God you are back again."

"My dear Percy, where did you spring from?"

"I have been home five days. I was still down at Marseilles, when I heard that Dijon was open again; and I came straight up.

"And how are you, Ralph?"

"Oh, I am getting all right again. How are they all, at home?"

"Well--quite well--but dreadfully anxious about you."

By this time the boys were out of the station, and were walking homeward.

1. was it a long trip to Dijon?
2. Where was Ralph delayed?
3. what did he do while stuck there?
4. Was he then on a fast train?
5. when did he finally reach Dijon?
6. Had he been able to make the trip earlier?
7. Who was in Dijon that prevented that?
8. Who made them leave?
9. who held the town now?
10. Who met him at the station?
11. who hugged him?
12. Had he been in town long?
13. how long had he been there?
14. where had he been?
15. where did they walk while they talked?
16. were the people there worried about Ralph?
1. yes
2. At Bourges
3. to get some clothes
4. No
5. in the evening
6. No
7. the Germans
8. Bourbaki's
9. Garibaldi's irregulars
10. Ralph
11. Percy
12. No
13. five days
14. Marseilles
15. homeward
16. Yes