of candy,
chocolate, and cigars to the soldiers, and the streets suddenly
blossomed with blue, white, and red flags. At the corner, near Madame
Coudert's shop, Pierre had the joy of seeing the German officer who had
tried to catch him surrender to the Captain who had taken the pink
cake. Oh, what a moment that was for Pierre! He sprang into the gutter
as the German passed and savagely jumped up and down upon the fragments
of the green poster! It was a matter for bitter regret to him long
after that the German did not seem to notice him.

The whole morning passed in such joy and excitement that it was nearly
noon when at last Mother Meraut, beaming with happiness, and
accompanied by a radiant Pierre and Pierrette, entered the Cathedral.
They were astonished to find it no longer the silent and dim sanctuary
to which they were accustomed. The Abbe' was there, and the Verger,
looking quite distracted, was directing a group of men in moving the
praying-chairs from the western end of the Cathedral, and the space
where they had been was already covered with heaps of straw. Under the
great choir at the western end there were piles of broken glass. Part
of the wonderful rose window had been shattered by a shell, and lay in
a million fragments on the stone floor.

Mother Meraut clasped her hands in dismay. "What does it all mean?" she
demanded of the Verger, as he went tap-tapping by after the workmen.
"What do you wish me to do?"

"Gather up every fragment of glass," said the Verger briefly, "and put
them in a safe place. The wounded are on the way, and are to be housed
in the Cathedral. We must be ready for them. There is no time to lose."

As Mother Meraut flew to carry out his directions, the Abbe' beckoned
to the children. "Can you be trusted to do an errand for me?" he said.

"Yes, Your Reverence," answered Pierre.

"Very well," said the Abbe. "I want you to get for the towers two Red
Cross flags. They must be the largest size, and we must have them soon.
The wounded may arrive at any moment now, and the Red Cross will
protect the Cathedral from shell-fire, for not even Germans would
destroy a hospital." He gave them careful directions, and a note for
the shop-keeper. "Now run along, both of you," he said. "Tell your
Mother where you are going, and that I sent you."

In two minutes the Twins were on their way, but it was more than an
hour before they got back. First, the shop-keeper was out, and when he
got back it