sitting on the edge of the bed favored her
friend with a cold stare.

"I certainly am not thinking of a flirtation," she said icily, "but if I
were, I should as certainly be unaffected by the rank of my victim. In
America we aren't quite so strong for pedigrees and families as you
English people--"

"Irish," said the other gently.

Vera laughed as she curled up in the bed and drew her sheet up to her
chin.

"It's queer how people hate being called English--even Tam--"

"Look here, Vera," said her companion hotly, "just leave that young man
alone. And please get all those silly, romantic ideas out of your head."

A silence--then,

"I'm going to write to him, to-morrow," said a sleepy voice, and the
rapid fire of her friend's protest was answered with a well-simulated
snore.

Tam received the letter by messenger.

"Dear Mr. Tam (it ran):

"I know that is your Christian name, but I really do not know your
other, so will you please excuse me? I am going into Amiens next
Friday and if you have quite forgiven me, will you please meet me
for lunch at the Cafe St. Pierre? And thank you so much for your
very clever verse."

"'Vera Laramore,'" repeated Tam. "A've no doot she's Scottish."

He trod air that week, literally and figuratively, for the work was
heavy. The high winds which had kept the British squadrons to the
ground, petered out to gentle breezes, and the air was alive with craft.
Bombing raid, photographic reconnaissance and long-distance scouting
kept the airmen busy. New squadrons appeared which had never been seen
before on this front. The Franco-American unit came up from X, and did
some very audible fraternizing with what was locally known as "Blackie's
lot," a circumstance which ordinarily would have caused Tam's heart to
rejoice.

But Tam was keeping clear of the mess-room just now, and he either sent
an orderly with his messages or waited religiously on the mat. As for
the officers, he avoided them unless (as was often the case) they sought
him out.

Brandspeth brought one of the new men over to his bunk the night the
American contingent arrived.

"I want you to meet an American officer, Tam," he yelled. "Don't be an
ass--open the door."

He was on one side of the locked door and Tam was on the other.

Tam turned the key reluctantly and admitted the visitors.

"A'm no' wishin' to be unceevil, Mr. Brandspeth, but Captain Blackie
will strafe ye if he finds