Dr. Blythe had taken to looking grave and saying little over the daily paper . Jem and Walter were keenly interested in the news it brought . Jem sought Walter out in excitement that evening . `` Oh , boy , Germany has declared war on France . This means that England will fight too , probably -- and if she does -- well , the Piper of your old fancy will have come at last . '' `` It was n't a fancy , '' said Walter slowly . `` It was a presentiment -- a vision -- Jem , I really saw him for a moment that evening long ago . Suppose England does fight ? '' `` Why , we 'll all have to turn in and help her , '' cried Jem gaily . `` We could n't let the ` old grey mother of the northern sea ' fight it out alone , could we ? But you ca n't go -- the typhoid has done you out of that . Sort of a shame , eh ? '' Walter did not say whether it was a shame or not . He looked silently over the Glen to the dimpling blue harbour beyond . `` We 're the cubs -- we 've got to pitch in tooth and claw if it comes to a family row , '' Jem went on cheerfully , rumpling up his red curls with a strong , lean , sensitive brown hand -- the hand of the born surgeon , his father often thought . `` What an adventure it would be ! But I suppose Grey or some of those wary old chaps will patch matters up at the eleventh hour . It 'll be a rotten shame if they leave France in the lurch , though . If they do n't , we 'll see some fun . Well , I suppose it 's time to get ready for the spree at the light . ''
Jem departed whistling `` Wi ' a hundred pipers and a ' and a ' , '' and XXXXX stood for a long time where he was .
Blythe England France Germany Grey Jem Walter daily evening harbour