g away
anyhow, only I don't know just where to go. Do you think I could get to
America without being discovered? Perhaps I might dress as a soldier.
You see I can speak English and French and German. I had to learn
languages as a child even when I hated studying and now I'm glad. Then
you know I can ride and shoot pretty well. I don't know why my father
ever consented to have me taught, save that it amused him a little to
have me show the tastes he would have liked in a son."

Major Hersey felt himself growing a little confused, as if he were
losing his sense of proportion. He was not much given to reading, but he
remembered two delightful romances, one "A Lady of Quality," the other
"The Prisoner of Zenda." Here he was finding the two stories melting
into one in the person of the girl beside him. Well the situation was
surprising even a little thrilling!

Yet Major Jimmie knew what his own ideals required of him.

"I am sorry, I am afraid I don't dare offer you advice. Haven't you some
woman who is your friend to whom you could appeal? There is Mrs. Clark;
I have been knowing her some time when I was in camp not far from her
Red Cross hospital near Chateau-Thierry. Why not talk to her? Still, if
I were you I would not try running away, certainly not to the United
States. It is pretty far and you could never make it. Excuse me, but you
know it is amusing to hear you talk of dressing as a soldier. I am
afraid you would not get away with the disguise five minutes. Wonder if
you have half an idea what a soldier has to undergo before he can get
aboard a transport for home."

The young American officer laughed and then his expression grew serious.

"Please don't say a thing like that again, even in jest and please don't
even think it. I know a girl who has been brought up as you have been
thinks she knows something about the world, when in reality she knows
nothing, anyhow, nothing that is ugly or real. I say, here comes Mrs.
Clark now, why not ask her to help you?"

At this moment Sonya Clark was advancing down the hall to escort her
patient, Major James Hersey, back to his own room.

A little surprised on discovering the intimacy of the conversation,
which was undoubtedly taking place between the young officer and the
girl who had certainly not known each other half an hour before, Sonya
stopped and looked toward them.

Then she smiled at the little picture they made together and came
forward to join them.