e!" he cried, seeing the distress
and embarrassment in her face. "A thousand pardons! The fault is not
yours, but your country's, that it has not taught its children to honour
its benefactor as she deserves. I am glad that it has been given to me to
tell you the story of one of the most beautiful things that ever happened
in Switzerland--the founding of the Red Cross. You will remember it with
greater interest, I am sure, because, while I talk, the cross of the Swiss
flag floats over us, and it was here in this old town of Geneva the
merciful work had its beginning."

Lloyd settled herself to listen, still stroking Hero's back with her
slipper toe.

"He was my friend, Henri Durant, and in the old days of chivalry they
would have made him knight for the noble thought that sprang to flower in
his heart and to fruitage in so worthy a deed. He was travelling in Italy
years ago, and happening to be near the place where the battle of
Solferino was fought, he was so touched by the sufferings of the wounded
that he stopped to help care for them in the hospitals. The sights he saw
there were horrible. The wounded men could not be cared for properly.
They died by the hundreds, because there were not enough nurses and
surgeons and food.

"It moved him to write a book which was translated into several languages.
People of many countries became interested and were aroused to a desire to
do something to relieve the deadly consequences of war. Then he called a
meeting of all the nations of Europe. That was over thirty years ago.
Sixteen of the great powers sent men to represent them. They met here in
Geneva and signed a treaty. One by one other countries followed their
example, until now forty governments are pledged to keep the promises of
the Red Cross.

"They chose that as their flag in compliment to Switzerland, where the
movement was started. You see they are the same except that the colours
are reversed.

"Now, according to that treaty, wherever the Red Cross goes, on sea or on
land, it means peace and safety for the wounded soldiers. In the midst of
the bloodiest battle, no matter who is hurt, Turk or Russian, Japanese or
Spaniard, Armenian or Arab, he is bound to be protected and cared for. No
nurse, surgeon, or ambulance bearing that Red Cross can be fired upon.
They are allowed to pass wherever they are needed.

"Before the nations joined in that treaty, the worst horror of war was the
fate of a wounded soldier, falli