serious, a little
infection in a wound he had believed healed. As for guests who come
frequently to your brother's room, why I never knew so quiet a household
as your's, _kleines Madchen_! During the many hours I am here in this
sitting-room, no one ever rings the front door bell or passes my door."

As a matter of fact Major Hersey's sitting-room was upon the first floor
of the house and near its entrance. Formerly his room must have been
either a small study or reception room, as the large drawing-rooms were
across the hall. But these were never in use at the present time and
kept always darkened, as a household symbol that all gayety and pleasure
had vanished from the homes of Germany.

It occurred to Jimmie Hersey at this instant to wonder if Hedwig
Liedermann had no friends. She was a handsome girl with light brown hair
and eyes and a gentle manner. Surely there must be some young German
officer in Coblenz who regarded her with favor! But if this were true he
had never appeared at her home at any hour when Major Hersey had caught
sight of him. It would not be difficult to recognize a German officer,
even if he should be wearing civilian clothes.

Besides why did Fraulein Liedermann not entertain her girl friends in
the drawing-rooms of her home? These rooms must have been used for
social purposes before the war, as the position of Colonel Liedermann's
family in Coblenz was of almost equal importance with the German
nobility.

"Oh, no one comes to call upon us at the front door any longer,"
Gretchen added amiably. "You see you are an American officer and use
this door and our friends do not wish to see you. They do not seem to
like you."

"They--they don't," Major Hersey thought other things to himself,
although naturally, in view of his audience, saying nothing unpleasant
aloud.

How stupid he was not to have guessed what the smallest daughter of the
house had just related! After all one could understand, the German
viewpoint since in spite of having been told to love our enemies, how
few of us have accomplished it?

It could not be agreeable to the defeated officers and soldiers of the
conquered German army to enter the homes of their friends and find them
occupied by the victors.

"Better run away now, Gretchen, it must be getting near your tea-time,"
the American officer suggested, the little girl having occasioned an
unpleasant train of thought by her final chatter.

But before Gretchen, who was not