a little girl of six to make up so useless a
story. But if Captain Liedermann were well why should he continue to
make a pretence of illness? There were no penalties attached to the fact
that he had been a German officer. Could it be possible that he so
intensely disliked the idea of coming into contact with the troops
General Pershing had led to victory, that he preferred invalidism to
this other form of martyrdom?

There was just one point upon which Major Jimmie Hersey was able to make
up his mind during this one evening's meditation.

He would suggest to Miss Jamison that she make no more visits to the
Liedermann home. He had been surprised to find her returning not once
but several times of late. She must understand that the Red Cross nurses
were not supposed to make friends with the families of Germans until
after peace was declared.

The little Freia had not been seriously hurt, having entirely recovered
from her fright and injury by the next day. Nevertheless, Miss Jamison
had made not one, but four or five other calls since her introduction to
Frau Liedermann.

Of course, as he knew Miss Jamison but slightly, advice from him might
prove embarrassing. She was in reality more Hackett's friend than his,
although Sergeant Hackett would deny this fact. He had tried being
friendly with Nora Jamison as she attracted him, but she did not seem to
care for other interests than her Red Cross nursing and the children
who surrounded her like tiny golden bees about a honey pot.

Her ride this afternoon had been her one concession; however, after
reaching the Red Cross hospital, she had said it would be impossible for
her to ride again, although she had greatly enjoyed it. In the future
nursing and other work she had recently undertaken would occupy all her
time.

It might be difficult to see Nora Jamison alone in order to warn her
against any too great intimacy with the Liedermann family. Yet as a
fellow American Major Hersey intended making the effort.

He would watch and if she came again to the Liedermann house, join her
on her way back to the American Red Cross hospital.

CHAPTER XVIII

_Reconciliation_

"I AM so sorry you have been ill, Bianca."

Carlo Navara had come into Bianca's room a few moments before with Mrs.
Clark and now Sonya had gone out again leaving them for a few moments
alone.

It was a fairly warm spring day and yet there was a little fire in
Bianca's room, for the rooms in the