too seriously. Our guests are sure not to remain with
us long."

To the latter part of her Camp Fire guardian's remark Sally Ashton paid
not the slightest heed, so concerned was she with the first part of her
speech.

Why of all times should this question of her personal liberty come up
for discussion _this_ afternoon? Of her own free choice Sally felt
convinced that she would never willingly go out alone. Nevertheless, how
was she to keep her word to the young soldier unless she returned next
day to the chateau? with the food she had promised him and without
confiding the fact to any one else? Oh, why had she allowed herself to
be drawn into this reckless promise? At this moment if she could only
slip into her Camp Fire guardian's room and ask her advice! Miss
Patricia would insist that if the soldier were a deserter he straightway
should be brought to justice. But Sally understood her Camp Fire
guardian well enough to appreciate that, once hearing the soldier in
hiding was ill and wounded, she would be as reluctant as Sally herself
to follow her manifest duty.

Confidence on this particular subject was for the present out of the
question, and as soon as she conveniently could Sally disappeared inside
her own room. Later, when the other girls had returned, weary from their
long errand of mercy in the next village and yet immensely interested in
their experience, Sally pretended to have a slight headache.

During supper she scarcely listened to the ever steady stream of
conversation which flowed unceasingly each evening. In the daytime the
American newcomers to the old French farm on the Aisne were too much
engaged to allow opportunity for conversation. After supper they
gathered in their improvised sitting-room to talk until their early
bedtime.

The sitting-room was oddly furnished with whatever furniture could be
rescued after the commandeering of the more valuable possessions by the
Germans.

In the attic a few broken chairs stored away for years had been brought
down and repaired. These were beautiful pieces of furniture in
conspicuous contrast to the couches and stools which originally had
arrived at the farm as large wooden boxes containing provisions.

With old Jean's assistance, Peggy and Vera had developed unexpected
talents as carpenters.

Moreover, whatever her faults, Miss Patricia Lord was an unfailing
source of supply. During her brief stay in Paris, without mentioning the
fact to any one else,