"I know, I know. All the same, that Kaiser's a damned murderer, and we've got to smash him if it takes the last drop of blood in Hillsdale; yes, sir, the last precious drop!" So by the time he reached the hotel his step was vigorous and the ferrule of his cane struck the sidewalk with military precision. Fifty-three years ago he had marched that way with Grant--or was it with Lee? Hillsdales do spread over such a lot of territory! "Did you ever!" Miss Sallie gasped, breaking the silence. "Sakes alive," Miss Veemie whispered, calling upon her nearest approach to profanity. But they continued to stare after him, by unspoken accord moving to the fence and leaning over it, farther and farther, to keep him in sight as long as possible. It was while they were so occupied that a girl stepped out upon the side veranda. She hesitated an instant, poising lightly in surprise at their rather unusual attitudes, and biting her lips to keep from laughing outright. Then coming down into the garden, she asked: "Is the parade in sight yet?" Turning, they rushed at her. "_Marian!_ When did you get home? How did you get in without our seeing you?" Her parasol fell to the ground before their onslaught of affectionate greetings, as they held her off, only to draw her close to them. "Why," she laughed, somewhat out of breath, "the front door was open--as usual; so I came on through--as usual--looking for you!" "_When_ did you get home?" they insisted. "Is it really you?" "You little dears," she cried. "Oh, but it's good to see you!" "But _when_ did you come?" "Last night!" "And you're going to stay?" "Hm-hm," she laughed, kissing them upon the cheeks. "I suppose I'll have to, unless Daddy has a change of heart and lets me go to France." "France, nonsense! Stand off, and let's see you," Miss Sallie commanded. "My! My! And you're really a trained nurse?" "Really a trained nurse," she answered enthusiastically. "I could never understand why you wanted to be," Miss Veemie faltered, looking at her as though she were convinced that contact with the big cities and hospitals and surgical cases must surely have left an unfavorable impress. "But you haven't changed--I do believe! Why, child, you're even prettier! Is that taffeta, my dear? How much did you pay for it?" "Sister Veemie," Miss Sallie interrupted with a shade of annoyance, "for pity sake don't begin to talk dresses--though it _is_ becoming, my dear," she turned to Marian. "Have you seen Jeb?" The girl hesitated, yet not exactly in embarrassment, and answered slowly: "No. Is he well?" "More than well--and simply daft with his preparations for the war!" "Preparations for the war?" she asked, not understanding. "Why, my child, he goes into the country every day to shoot his rifle, he's so in earnest! I do believe that if Congress could hear half he thinks about the insults we are forced to swallow, they'd declare war to-morrow!"