"I'll be glad to get home again and see mother and Aunt Grace and Aunt Nellie," remarked Martha, as she settled herself in a seat beside her brother. "And how about dad, Martha?" questioned Jack. "You don't have to ask that question," she returned quickly. "You know I am just as crazy to see him as you are. And I'm crazy to see Uncle Tom and Uncle Sam, too." "I'll bet they'll have some stories to tell about their doings in France." "Yes, indeed, Jack. Oh, how they all must have suffered! And how thankful I am that they are coming back to us whole and hearty. Just think if they had come back minus an arm or a leg, or frightfully injured in some other way!" "I have thought of that, Martha, more than once. I can tell you, when I think of the thousands of good, strong, healthy young fellows who went over there and gave up their lives or came back crippled, I feel that our folks have much to be thankful for." CHAPTER XV BACK FROM FRANCE The journey to New York City was uneventful. They had to change cars at the Junction, and here a number of the other cadets left the Rovers. These included Gif and Spouter. "Sorry you're not going down to the city with us," said Jack; "but I suppose you are as anxious to see your folks as we are to see ours." "Right you are," answered Spouter. And Gif nodded his head to show that he agreed with his chum. When the train rolled into the Grand Central Terminal at Forty-second Street the Rovers found two automobiles awaiting them, and in the turn-outs were the three mothers of the boys and girls. "What's the news about dad, Ma?" burst out Jack, as he kissed his parent. "Have the soldiers come back yet?" was Fred's question. "They haven't got in yet, but we are expecting them almost any time now," answered Mrs. Dick Rover. "We are just as anxious as you are to see them," came from Mrs. Tom Rover, as both of her sons gave her a warm hug. "There, there! don't smother me!" she added affectionately. "Oh, it's so good to be home again!" exclaimed Mary. "Boarding school is all well enough, but I'd rather be with you folks any time." Mary had always been a good deal of a home girl. The young folks piled into the cars, which were run by the Rovers' chauffeurs, and in a moment more they were picking their way through the crowded traffic in the direction of Fifth Avenue. They speeded up this noted thoroughfare and then across town to Riverside Drive. "What is the matter with your eyes, Jack?" questioned his mother presently. "They look rather inflamed." "Oh, I had a little run-in with one of our old enemies," returned the young captain. "I'll tell you about it later." "It's poor Ruth Stevenson that got the worst of it," broke in Martha. "We may as well tell mother," she added. "She ought to know it." "I wish you boys would stop making enemies," sighed Mrs. Rover. "Sooner or later they may cause you a lot of trouble."