me his
habit.

Mrs. Webster suffered a good deal of uneasiness. Billy explained that he
had been compelled to go into the nearest town on important business, so
she was not to worry. One could scarcely say beforehand what demands war
work might make upon one's time and strength.

Mrs. Webster steeled herself to bear the strain, even when Billy's new
passion for helping to win the war kept him away from the Sunrise camp
until nearly midnight for several nights in succession.

Just at this time she was extremely busy assisting with the preparation
of the costumes for the Sunrise Camp Fire production of "As You Like
It." In spite of the fact that Mrs. Burton had sent east for several
trunks of costumes, there were many alterations to be made, and every
member of the entire cast, maid and man, asked of Mrs. Webster either
advice or aid, or both.

No matter how great her weariness, Mrs. Webster always remained awake
until her son's return, in order that she might know he was well and
have him eat a carefully saved-over dinner.

Gently Billy endeavored to persuade his mother to give up this plan,
insisting that he always had food in town. But although Mrs. Webster
made no effort to interfere with his actions, on this one point she was
adamant. She must be sure that her son was safely at camp in order to be
able to sleep.

Realizing this to be true, for several nights Billy returned to camp at
the usual time. Then a night arrived when he reached home even later
than before.

It chanced that on this night, without Billy's being aware of the fact,
Mrs. Burton and her cast had been going through a dress rehearsal of
their play.

When Billy finally reached camp, the Sunrise Hill tents were dark and
still.

Yet to the left a camp fire was burning and a woman's figure was seated
near it.

A pang of remorse stirred Billy, in spite of his own weariness.

Coming forward with his arms outstretched, instead of his mother, he
discovered Vera Lagerloff.

"Goodness, Vera, I never saw you look so wonderful!" Billy exclaimed,
bowing with the air of a courtier and a grace which he knew well how to
assume.

For Vera was wearing a court costume, a skirt of a deep rose-colored
satin and a polonaise and basque of white with a design of roses.

Her dark hair was piled high on her head and her cheeks were slightly
rouged, since every preparation for the actual stage performance had
been made.

Billy had never seen Vera so hands