Gretel was very much in earnest, but Mrs. Douaine declared that she was not spending any more money than she considered necessary, and Gretel, who was a very human girl, after all, and loved pretty clothes, stifled her scruples, and thoroughly enjoyed the morning’s shopping. In the afternoon they attended a bazaar in aid of the Belgian sufferers, and in the evening Mrs. Douaine took her sister-in-law to hear a French woman talk of her work in the devastated regions. The next morning there was Gretel’s trunk to be packed, and a few last purchases to be made, and almost before she realized it, the girl found herself in the car with her sister-in-law, on the way to the station. “Wasn’t that Dora’s sister I saw you talking with in the hall?” Mrs. Douaine asked, as she settled back in the car for a short rest. “Yes,” said Gretel, “it was Lillie. She came to tell Dora they had received a postal from Peter. His ship is off. You know the boys are only allowed to notify their families after they have sailed. Poor Lillie was quite upset. She is devoted to Peter.” “Poor boy,” said Mrs. Douaine, with a sigh; “he seems so young to go. I am surprised that his father did not prevent it. He’s under age.” “He isn’t seventeen yet,” said Gretel, the tears starting to her eyes. “Oh, Barbara, it seems almost wicked to be going away to have a good time, when so many people we know are in such dreadful trouble. I almost wish I wasn’t going.” “Don’t be morbid, dear,” Mrs. Douaine said, kindly, laying her hand on Gretel’s as she spoke. “Remember Dr. Townsend’s sermon last Sunday. We must keep sane; it is the only way to help. I want you to be just as cheerful and happy as you can on this visit. We none of us know what may be before us, and we must be strong and ready to bear whatever may happen, but in the meantime there is no reason why we should not be reasonably happy.” Gretel felt somehow comforted by her sister-in-law’s words, and it was a very bright face which greeted the Barlow twins and their mother at the station. They had been watching for her at the entrance to the big waiting-room. Mrs. Barlow was a pale, nervous little woman, and when Gretel and her sister-in-law arrived, she was in the midst of a long list of admonitions to the twins, who, truth to tell, were not paying very much attention to their mother’s warnings. “You will be careful about bathing, won’t you, Jerry?” she pleaded, “and promise me not to swim out too far? I am so afraid of those motor-boats, too. I know the Chesters must have one, so many people do. I wish you would promise not to go in it, but I suppose there isn’t any use asking you to. Aren’t you afraid of motor-boats, Barbara?” she added, turning to Mrs. Douaine. “Not a bit,” her friend answered, cheerfully. “Besides, both the twins swim like fish, so why worry? I am sure the Chesters will take good care of their guests.” Mrs. Barlow looked somewhat relieved, but not altogether satisfied.