to leave their small offerings
and had started toward their new home, Vera had agreed to return next
day to render what assistance she could toward the restoration of the
little house. Peggy was to come back in order to persuade the little
French girl to make friends and perhaps pay them a visit at the farm.

After walking on for a short added distance, both girls finally reached
their own French farm house.

It was now late afternoon and the old battered building appeared homely
and forbidding. Once upon a time, with the French love of color, the
farm house had been painted a bright pink, but now the color had been
washed off, as if tears had rolled down the face of some poor old
painted lady, smearing her faded cheeks. A fire had evidently been
started when the Germans began their retreat, which for some freakish
reason had died down after destroying only the rear portion of the
building.

After the arrival of the Camp Fire unit in France the entire party had
gone straight to Paris as they planned, where their credentials had been
presented to the proper authorities, as well as a brief outline of the
work which they hoped to be allowed to undertake. Their idea was at once
so simple and so practical that no objection was raised.

The Camp Fire unit looked forward to establishing a community farm in
one of the ruined districts of France. So after a short stay in Paris,
following the advice of the American Committee, Mrs. Burton and Aunt
Patricia set out to find a home for their unit. Later the Camp Fire
girls joined them at the old farm house on the Aisne.

Only a little time had passed, nevertheless the farm already suggested
home.

As Peggy and Vera entered the open space where a gate had once stood,
they discovered the entire Camp Fire community outside in the yard.

As usual, Aunt Patricia was giving orders to everybody in sight, while
Mrs. Burton in her effort to be of assistance as she urged the others
not to attempt too much, was fluttering about, as often as not in the
way.

As a matter of fact, the Camp Fire girls were paying but little
attention either to her or to Aunt Patricia. Mary Gilchrist, a few
moments before, having driven her motor into the farm yard, the girls
were at present helping her to unload.

After crossing to France with the Sunrise Camp Fire Unit, Mary had
become so much one of them that she had concluded to remain with them
for a time, certainly until she could find more useful w