can see how
miserable her shoes are, while her clothes look mighty seedy. Now,
Nellie, we both happen to know, is a clever hand at such things, and
she'll be only too glad to take charge of Jeanne's wardrobe. So I'll
accept your offer. Anyway, we've always shared alike in everything, as
equal partners should."

"Yes, even to that licking I once got when you were caught under Amos
Grimes' peach tree hunting for the ball I knocked over the fence. He
vowed you were after his fruit, and started to give you a taste of the
switch he carried."

"Yes," broke in Jack, chuckling. "And you, meaning to explain, came over
the fence, only to get a taste of the same switch. I always did believe
he divided the honors equally between us, and that you got some of the
stripes he'd intended for me. Come, Jeanne, we'll be going now."

"But how about your leaving the camp here without orders, Jack? I was
going to ask for this leave when my assignment to duty came; so I did
not ask."

"Oh, I met Captain Desmond on the way to the chuck-wagon and explained
things to him, so he gave me permission to be gone up to midnight."

"And you'll use it up to the last minute, I warrant," laughed Tom,
actually kissing, in the renewed courage Jack's return gave him, the red
lips of the little French girl, who already seemed to look upon these
two tall young Americans as friends raised up by a special Providence to
help her. He then hurried away.

Jack took Jeanne's hand in his and they walked along. Much comment was
caused on his being thus seen by many of the other airmen in the camp
adjoining the field of the khaki-colored hangars. Jack took it all in
his customary happy-go-lucky way and sent back as good as he received.

When they came to the dugout that was serving as a temporary refuge for
the Red Triangle workers, the hut of refreshment such as the Y. M. C. A.
girls and men were in the habit of putting up, often close back of the
firing line, Jack took his little charge in with him.

Jeanne's pretty face and bewitching ways immediately won the hearts of
the girls in khaki who were doing war work. They clustered about the
pair, and asked many questions; but as Jack was in somewhat of a hurry
he could answer them only in a general way.

"She's lost her mother, and her twin sister was carried away by a Boche
general who is some relation, though he hates the family. My chum and I
mean to provide for little Jeanne. I'm taking her now to a girl f