As the engine hurried him toward Bellerivre Pierre busied himself thinking how much he would have to tell his mother and Marie. The village was reached almost before he realized it, and as he descended from the train he was surprised to find Monsieur le Cure standing on the platform to greet him. The face of the priest was pale, and with apprehension Pierre made his way toward him. "My son!" was all the old man could say. Instantly Pierre knew. "You have bad news, Father," he cried quickly. "It is from the war. Tell me! Do not fear. I am no longer a child." Trembling, the kindly friend put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "It came this morning--the message," he said. "I did not tell your mother, but waited for you. There has been another great battle and----" "My father?" "He is missing, Pierre." "And Uncle Jacques?" "He will come no more, my son. He has given his life for France." [Illustration] CHAPTER XIII PIERRE TAKES THE HELM Silently Pierre received the news. He neither trembled nor cried out. In a vague way he realized that ever since that day long ago when Henri St. Amant had first presented this possibility to his mind he had unconsciously been bracing himself to meet with courage some such emergency. And now the blow had fallen, and it was he who must break the news to his mother, and be the strong prop on which she might lean. So busy was he with these thoughts that he scarcely sensed the presence of the faithful old priest who walked beside him. A score of confused reveries were surging over the boy, and out of the chaos of grief, reminiscence, and wonder, clearer ideas began to form themselves. "We must sell the place," he declared, thinking aloud. "That will give us some ready money to start on." "I, too, think that might be well." It was the quiet voice of Monsieur le Cure. "Forgive me, Father," said the lad. "I had forgotten----" "Do not reproach yourself, my son," replied the priest gently. "I did not accompany you to be a burden in your sorrow--only that I might help if I could." He laid his hand on the boy's shoulder. Pierre glanced into his eyes gratefully. "About the selling of the home--you think it would be wise?" he asked. "It seems to me now to be the best plan; but I should wish to consider the matter more carefully before I gave a final decision. Advice must not be given too hastily."