n't know, Bianca," she replied finally. "I suppose we can
leave the child with some French family along our route. However, most
of them have responsibilities enough of their own, without our adding a
child whose last name we do not even know and who appears unable to tell
us anything about herself."

"We cannot take the child back to her own home, even if we could turn
back, which is of course out of the question. I would not have the
courage to leave the little girl alone there, when she has showed so
plainly her wish to escape. Oh, well, life is full enough of problems
and some one will surely take the child off our hands! people in
adversity are wonderfully kind to one another; our life in France during
the war has taught us that much."

Both Sonya and Bianca were speaking English so that the little
interloper would not be able to understand what they were saying.

"I wonder why we cannot take 'La petite Louisa' along with us, Sonya?
After all one little girl more or less won't matter and we may need her
for our mascot in the new work that lies before us. I don't know why I
feel the Red Cross nursing with the army of occupation will have new
difficulties our former nursing did not have. Perhaps because the
soldiers will probably not be seriously ill and are likely to be a great
deal more bored," Mildred Thornton urged.

Sonya shook her head.

"Mildred, it is a little embarrassing to have to speak of it, but please
remember my husband is something of a martinet in matters of Red Cross
discipline. I am afraid he will not think we have the right to add a
little girl to our responsibilities. However, the child is with us now
not by our choice, and we must make her as comfortable as possible until
we have some inspiration concerning her. Miss Jamison, you will look
after her, won't you, since she seems to prefer you?"

But already Nora Jamison had assumed that the care of the little French
girl had been entrusted to her as a matter of course.

Later, the journey through France and into Belgium and thence into
Luxemburg became, not only for the American army but for the Red Cross
units which accompanied it, a triumphant procession.

In every little village along their route bells were rung, schools
closed while the children and the citizens gathered in the streets to
shout their welcome. Through the country at each crossroads groups of
men, women and young people were found waiting to express their
thankfulness e