“I understand, Sergeant. I think a hike will do myself and my friend good.” “Would you ride on a truck?” “Of course if necessary, but I think we prefer to walk, thank you. I always did enjoy hiking. You don’t know whether or not the car has gone on?” “It went on less than five minutes before you came out. Four women in it, the same ones you carried before.” “Thank you, Sergeant. May I offer you a package of cigarettes?” He said she might, and thanked her, a broad grin on his face. “The old party hasn’t passed out a thing since we started,” he informed her. “I know it. She informs me that none will be distributed from the canteen until we reach the Rhine. Thank you very much for your kindness.” Grace returned to their cellar, where she found Elfreda awaiting her with more or less impatience. Their mess kits and other supplies were packed. “Where is the car? I didn’t hear you drive up,” questioned Miss Briggs. “Mrs. Chadsey Smythe took the car and a soldier driver, and went on, I am informed.” “What?” “You and I are going to enjoy a lovely twelve-mile walk this morning, and I know it will do us a world of good. We have been riding too much since we came over here.” “I call that an outrage!” expostulated J. Elfreda. “What about all this stuff?” “We will carry our own kits. Our bags and what little government property we have here we will try to get on a truck. The rest will be easy. I had an interview with Madame in her cellar this morning. I tried to come to an amicable settlement of our difficulties, but she threatened me and drove me out. It is quite evident that General Gordon has not taken action, as he said he would. However, I feel that we are going to be all right and that we shall arrive at the Rhine flying high.” “Tell me about it,” urged Elfreda. Grace did so, her companion listening with narrowed eyes. “This passes all comprehension, Grace. I can’t believe that the woman is so bad as she would have us think her. You must admit that she is a good American else she would not be here, suffering all the discomforts of army life.” “That is the way I have reasoned it out, Elfreda, and that is why I went to see her this morning, hoping that after yesterday she might have seen a light--instead she saw red,” added Grace, smiling up at her companion. “Let’s get our luggage out and I will look up one of our unit’s wagons. Perhaps we may arrange our day’s journey quite satisfactorily.” They were fortunate in finding one of their own camions that was just starting out, and the driver was more than willing to take their belongings and asked them to ride through with him, but Grace said they preferred to walk, now that their car had gone on without them.