the Cathedral, of the
miraculous safety of the statue of Saint Jeanne, of his own escape, and
the final destruction of the roof over their heads, and their flight
from the city, the pressing needs of the little village and his and
Grandpere's proposed voyage were discussed, and it was very late when
at last the people separated and the little village settled down for
the night.

XI. A SURPRISE

The next morning the whole village was up early, and plans were
perfected for the voyage of Father Meraut and Grandpere. A long list of
necessary articles was made out, and the money for their purchase
safely hidden away in their inside pockets. They were just about to
start down the road to the river, when suddenly a wonderful thing
happened. Right through the great gate of the Chateau rumbled a large
motor truck with an American flag fluttering from the radiator! It was
driven by a strange young woman in a smart gray uniform. Beside her on
the driver's seat sat an older woman dressed the same way and carrying
in her hand a black medicine-case.

The girl stopped her engine, climbed down to the ground, and approached
the astonished people of Fontanelle: "Bon jour," she said, smiling.
Then in excellent French she explained her errand. "We are Americans,"
she said, and at that name every face smiled back at her. "We have come
to help you restore your homes. America loves and admires the French
people, and since we women cannot fight with you, we wish at least to
help in the reconstruction of your beautiful France. Your government
has given us permission to start our work here, and has promised help
from the soldiers whose camp is near. The money we bring from America
will purchase materials, and with your labor and the help of the
soldiers we shall soon see what can be done."

For a moment after she had ceased speaking there was silence. The
people of Fontanelle were too astonished for words. So much good
fortune after all their sorrow left them stunned. It was Pierre who
first found his voice. He took off his cap, swung it in the air and
shouted, "Vive l'Amerique," at the top of his lungs, and "Vive
l'Amerique," chorused the whole village, relieved to be able to vent
their feelings in sound.

Mademoiselle laughed. "Vive la France," she answered, and then, turning
to the truck, she cried, "Come and see what we have in our little shop
on wheels. But first let me introduce to you Dr. Miller. She is an
American doctor who