outside the closed door, one that puzzled Nona and Barbara. However, the next instant the door swung slowly open and a great silver-gray figure entered the little room and padded softly up to Eugenia and there stood gravely regarding the two newcomers.

“This is our American hospital mascot. You remember Monsieur Le Duc, or Duke as we used to call him, don’t you, Nona, you and Bab? After Henri disappeared, in the most curious fashion, without anyone being able to explain how he could have known, Duke grew so utterly wretched my mother-in-law wrote me she thought the poor fellow would die. So I went back to the château to see him. He grew better then, but I had to bring him away with me. He never leaves me when it is possible to be near. I think he has an idea he must take care of me. At first I was afraid he was[64] going to be a nuisance, but wherever I have been the soldiers have adored him. Come, Duke, won’t you speak to your old friends?”

[64]

And, as if he had only been waiting for Eugenia’s suggestion, the great dog walked softly over first to Nona and then to Bab, gravely extending his paw to each of them in turn.

“You look older, don’t you, poor old Duke,” Bab whispered, putting her brown head down on the dog’s silver-gray one. “Here is hoping for happier days!”

But she said this so that Eugenia did not hear her. Aloud she announced:

“I should think I would like to see the American camp. I never imagined such a privilege. You know, Gene, there was the dearest young officer whom we met on the train, a Kentucky boy. He said he was awfully anxious to introduce some of his brother officers to me, only he did not see how he was ever to manage, the regulations were so severe.”

Nona raised herself up on one elbow.

“Barbara Thornton, kindly remember you are married and Eugenia merely said[65] she wished to show us the American camp, not to entertain us by having us meet the soldiers. Really, you know I never approved of your coming over to nurse again, but I did not anticipate this particular form of frivolity, considering that Mildred is your sister-in-law.”

[65]

Barbara looked so extremely comfortable at this accusation that both Eugenia and Mildred laughed, and this was what Nona had hoped for, since Duke’s unexpected appearance had brought back memories difficult to take lightly.

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