THE LITTLE MOMENT OF HAPPINESS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: Kendall regarded her. She was a little thing with clear eyes and a rather pretty face.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE LITTLE MOMENT OF HAPPINESS By CLARENCE BUDINGTON KELLAND Author of “_The Source_,” “_The Hidden Spring_,” “_Sudden Jim_,” “_The Highflyers_,” _etc._ FRONTISPIECE A. L. BURT COMPANY Publishers New York Published by arrangement with Harper & Brothers ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE LITTLE MOMENT OF HAPPINESS CHAPTER I Those low-lying hills were France! They had not lifted into view suddenly, but had rather emerged from the east, solidifying slowly out of a slate-colored blur which to the eyes of unaccustomed voyagers might or might not have been land. There was no ebullition of spirits. The two thousand men and women aboard the vessel crowded to the rail and strained their eyes toward that land in which great events awaited them, for the most part in utter silence. Conversation failed. There was an impressiveness about the moment akin to the impressiveness of entering some great cathedral—there was awe!... There, rising out of the east was France!... _France_! The sentiment that stirred them was more profound than a thrill. The day had held its thrill for them—a thrill that for many of them had followed a sleepless night. Those who had slept had done so fully clothed, with life-jackets within instant touch of the hand. For the kindly ocean had been made dangerous, not by the elements, which throughout the voyage had held themselves in restraint, but by men. It had been a morning of mists which lay upon the placid waters and glowed in response to the touch of the rising sun. Then, as the luminous grayness dissipated, there came into view far off to the northward, a spot which grew and approached until it became a grim and business-like French destroyer to be greeted with cheers of relief. It was the convoy. There was a thrill. It spelled safety—that little boat with ready guns—but it spoke of danger as well. The early passengers who watched the approach of the little vessel of war warmed with affection toward it. It was their guardian, come out of nothingness to protect them through the remaining perilous miles of ocean.