oments,
Thea?" Ruth at this instant inquired. "There are still preparations for
us to make before our Red Cross unit takes its place in the line of
march. As a matter of fact I don't think I slept three hours last night,
and neither Dr. Clark nor Mrs. Clark made a pretence of going to bed."

Thea linked her arm in Ruth's.

The young physician who was their companion wore a curious, rapt
expression. He was still gazing after the moving army, and seemed not to
have heard.

"Goodby, Dr. Raymond." Thea made a little curtsey that was unexpectedly
graceful. "Thank you for suggesting to Ruth that she see the first
breaking of camp of the American Army of Occupation. I know you had not
intended that I accompany you, yet thank you just the same. Never so
long as I live shall I forget this daybreak in France! Why, it is as if
an old world had ended on the eleventh of November and a new one was
beginning today! Besides who knows what experiences may lie ahead, or
_romances_, Dr. Raymond. You see now the war has ended, perhaps even you
may wake up to other interesting facts in life beside professional
ones."

With an odd, challenging expression, Thea Thompson watched the young
doctor's face, expecting him at least to change color or show some sign
of annoyance. However, as he was a good deal taller than she, he merely
looked over her head and toward Ruth Carroll.

"If you will forgive me, Miss Carroll, I won't return with you just this
minute. I have nothing very special to look after and I want to see as
much of this first movement of our army as possible. Afterwards our Red
Cross motors and ambulances will probably have to keep in the rear."

Then the two girls moved away toward the Red Cross hospital choosing
their route along a path near the edge of the road, so as not to be in
the way of the oncoming trucks.

"I do wish you would try not to talk personalities on a morning like
this, Thea dear," Ruth urged gently, "and particularly not to Dr.
Raymond. I have told you it makes him uncomfortable. He is really not
aware that there is a woman or a girl in the world in any personal
fashion. I am sure the very word _romance_ irritates him. I presume that
is why you used it. Don't get into mischief now that the war is over,
Thea, because you may have less hard work when you have been so good all
the past year. I feel it specially because I know you did not naturally
care for nursing and only began it at first in order to come