The passage describes a poignant moment in which the narrator's mother travels by train to Halifax to bid farewell to her husband as he goes off to war. The train is filled with men heading to the Front, creating a cramped and uncomfortable environment. The absence of a sleeper forces her to remain sitting amidst the chaos, including the sounds of snoring and coughing, as well as the presence of other passengers with their belongings. This uncomfortable journey serves as a backdrop against which the gravity of the war hits her more intimately.

As the mother observes the young men surrounding her, she begins to grasp the war's reality on a deeper level. It's no longer just an abstract concept; it transforms into something tangible and immediate. She sees the boyish faces, perhaps representing innocence overshadowed by the impending violence of war. Through her experience, the narrative encapsulates the emotional weight of saying goodbye in such troubling times, illustrating how personal and collective histories intertwine in the face of conflict.