y enough, in spite of the several
shocks I had had, and perhaps because of his manner, I was able to do it
as if it was the sort of tea-table conversation to which I had always
been accustomed.

"What are you doing here?" I said.

"Waiting for orders," he answered.

"And for Uhlans?"

"Oh," replied he, "if incidentally while we are sitting down here to
rest, we could rout out a detachment of German cavalry, which our
aeroplane tells us crossed the Marne ahead of us, we would like to.
Whether this is one of those flying squads they are so fond of sending
ahead, just to do a little terrorizing, or whether they escaped from the
battle of La Fere, we don't know. I fancy the latter, as they do not
seem to have done any harm or to have been too anxious to be seen."

I need not tell you that my mind was acting like lightning. I
remembered, in the pause, as I poured him another cup of tea, and pushed
the jam pot toward him, that Amelie had heard at Voisins last night that
there were horses in the woods near the canal; that they had been heard
neighing in the night; and that we had jumped to the conclusion that
there were English cavalry there. I mentioned this to the captain, but
for some reason it did not seem to make much impression on him; so I did
not insist, as there was something that seemed more important which I
had been getting up the courage to ask him. It had been on my lips all
day. I put it.

"Captain," I asked, "do you think there is any danger in my staying
here?"

He took a long drink before he answered:--

"Little lady, there is danger everywhere between Paris and the Channel.
Personally--since you have stayed until getting away will be
difficult--I do not really believe that there is any reason why you
should not stick it out. You may have a disagreeable time. But I
honestly believe you are running no real risk of having more than that.
At all events, I am going to do what I can to assure your personal
safety. As we understand it--no one really knows anything except the
orders given out--it is not intended that the Germans shall cross the
Marne here. But who knows? Anyway, if I move on, each division of the
Expeditionary Force that retreats to this hill will know that you are
here. If it is necessary, later, for you to leave, you will be notified
and precautions taken for your safety. You are not afraid?"

I could only tell him, "Not yet," but I could not help adding, "Of
course I am not