For the Flag and the Girl back home.”
The ringing of the telephone bell brought her to her feet.
“Yes,” said a well-loved voice, “it’s Your Own. I’ll be with you in about twenty minutes. Good-bye.”
“My gracious goodness!” exclaimed Patty to herself. “What a sudden one he is, to be sure! He fairly takes my breath away!”
She ran to spread the good news.
“Little Billee’s coming!” she cried to Nan and Helen, who were in the sitting-room, waiting to hear the account of Lieutenant Herron’s call. But this new information quite eclipsed their interest in Herron.
“Really!” cried Nan. “When? How long will he stay?”
“Dunno. Didn’t get any details, only he’ll be here in twenty minutes and thank goodness, that other person has departed.”
“Herron? What’d he come for, anyway?”
“On an errand,” and Patty smiled to think of the ridiculous boy daring to make love to her. “He had a bee in his bonnet,—a most foolish bee, and I had to get it out for him. Oh, my Little Billee’s coming! I’m so glad!”