“Now that the war is over I suppose we all will soon be on our way to the good old United States. I know I shall die if I have to go back before my William does. I have been afraid that he might be appointed on the Peace Commission, for I know he must stand very high with the President, even if he is only a lieutenant. Well, good-bye. Remember me to Tom, and tell him I hope that when he gets home he will make it his business to see that his most attractive wife stays home and washes the dishes rather than go scouting all over America and half of Europe driving ambulances and things. “Yours lovingly, EMMA.” Grace sat back and laughed until the tears came, laughed until she was interrupted by a cry from the doorway. It was Elfreda, but instead of throwing herself into Grace’s arms, J. Elfreda stood off and surveyed her with disapproving eyes. “Grace Harlowe Gray, you surely are a sight. I am not at all surprised. What does make me marvel is that you have come back at all. Tell me about it. Have you been crying? Your eyes are red.” “I have been laughing. I have a letter from Emma.” “Enough said. Tell me the story. You were a prisoner, I understand.” “A sort of prisoner. No, I was not hit with a bullet, but with a stone. The Huns are such gentle creatures. The state of my clothing is due to the fact that I got mixed up with a vineyard when I came down in the parachute. I suppose you had your information from Major Colt?” “Yes. I have a lot of other information too; but that will keep until I hear your story.” Grace, to save time, told the story from the time they left the ground in the sausage balloon right down to the moment when she got back into the American lines. “What do you propose to do next for thrills?” demanded Elfreda finally. “I am not looking for thrills. I am in hope that I shall be permitted to go back home before very long--that is, if Tom goes.” “He won’t. They are planted here for months to come, provided we do not go on into the enemy country.” “How is Mrs. Smythe?” Grace smiled. “No change. I understand from her that you are to be placed on canteen work, drawing hot chocolate and the like. She will have you mopping out the place next. Chad is in a rage most of the time, except when her latest friend is with her. Oh, I didn’t tell you about that. The day before you went over by the air route, a most charming young lady appeared on the scene. Mrs. Smythe said it was a very old friend of hers of the name of Molly Marshall. I don’t know who she is or how she got into the lines, but I have been told by those who ought to know, that she is an American woman who has been a prisoner of the Germans; that she got by the German sentries and reached our lines after suffering all sorts of hardships. She doesn’t look the part, I am free to say.” Grace was interested at once. “You are suspicious of her, Elfreda?” she demanded.