ouldn't any one in his
senses think that a young and able-bodied man could go and put his name
down as being willing to serve his country? Why, she herself--she's
crazy to go. I'd like to bet a hat she'll get there before long, too,
and into the front trenches."

"Oh, no!" Aggie wailed suddenly.

"But not I," went on Charlie Sands fiercely. "Not I. How she ever got
around that old fool Ostermaier I don't know. But she has. He's
appointed her an assistant registrar in his precinct, which is mine. And
she'll swear until she's black in the face that I'm over age."

"Can't you have the place opened before seven in the morning?" I
suggested.

"I've been to him, but he says the law is seven o'clock. Besides," he
added bitterly, "she knows me, and as like as not she'll sleep there, to
be on hand to forestall me."

As I look back, I am convinced that a desire to do his bit, as he termed
it, was only a part of his anger that evening. The rest was the feeling
that Tish's superior acumen had foiled him. He had a truly masculine
hatred of being thwarted by a woman, even by a beloved aunt.

"Well," he said at last, picking up his hat. "I'll be off." He went to
the door, but turned back and glowered at us both, although I am sure we
had done nothing whatever. "But mark my words, and remind her of them
the day after tomorrow. This thing's not over yet. She's pretty devilish
clever"--(I regret to record this word, but he was greatly
excited)--"but she hasn't all the brains in the family."

For a day that was to contain so much, however, the fifth of June
started quietly enough. We telephoned Hannah, and she reported that Tish
had left the house at five-thirty, although obliged to go only one block
to the engine house which was her destination.

So far as I can learn, for Tish is very uncommunicative about the entire
matter, the morning passed quietly enough. She had taken the precaution
of having her folding card table and two pillows sent to the engine
house, and when Aggie and I arrived at midday she was seated
comfortably, with her hat hung on a lamp of the fire truck. When we
arrived she was asking the sexton of the Methodist Church, whom she has
known for thirty years, if he had lost a leg or an arm.

Aggie had brought a basket with some luncheon for her, and she placed it
on the truck. But there was an alarm of fire soon after, and the thing
went out in a rush with the lunch and also with Tish's hat.

Tish was furious