de which one of us did
the best work. Of course, I think Mildred at present deserves the prize,
Nona has been off duty so long in taking care of Sonya Valesky."

Mildred Thornton glanced from one girl's face to the other. In spite of
Barbara's effort to conceal her pleasure, it was evident that she was
secretly rejoicing. But Mildred understood Barbara's position; it was
natural that she should feel as she did under the circumstances. Then
Barbara had never put forth any claims to being a martyr.

What really surprised Mildred Thornton was Nona Davis' expression of
relief, almost of pleasure, at her news.

Why, Nona had been more enthusiastic than any one of them over the Red
Cross nursing in Russia! She it was who had originally planned their
coming into Russia and had been most deeply interested since their
arrival.

"But why are we to be sent back to Petrograd?" Nona also demanded,
frowning a little in her effort to grasp the situation. "What reason
was given; have we failed in any duty or service since our arrival at
Grovno?" Nona went on, sitting up, while two spots of color appeared
in her cheeks. "Please, Mildred, don't be mysterious. Tell us where
you received your information and why we are to be sent away so
ignominiously?"

Mildred Thornton shook her head in quiet reproach. She was not so
impatient nor so unreasonable as the other two girls.

"I am waiting to tell you," she returned. "The other afternoon I was
sitting alone in the little Russian church when General Dmitri Alexis
came in. On leaving he chanced to discover me and asked me to walk with
him for a few moments. You know I told you I had met him the day he came
into my hospital ward to decorate the dying soldier?" Mildred added.

This time her companions only nodded, not wishing to interrupt.

"Well, it was General Alexis himself who said that he wished us to go
back to Petrograd. It was not that he felt the fortress at Grovno would
not be able to hold out against the German attacks, but that a soldier
should be prepared for any emergency. In case Grovno should fall, or
General Alexis decide it wiser to retreat and join another portion of
Grand Duke Nicholas' army, he does not wish us at Grovno. He says that
the Russian Red Cross nurses have the right to remain with their own
soldiers, but that we are Americans and with us the circumstances are
different. He does not intend that harm shall befall us. So I am afraid
we have no choice in the