“No; that's Mabel—Mab he calls her. She's younger than I. Did he often speak of her?”
“Oh, yes; and you too!” exclaimed Tom, so warmly that Nellie blushed, and the damask tint in her hitherto pale cheeks was most becoming.
“We've seen your picture, and Mab's too,” went on Tom. “Harry keeps them just over his cot in the barracks. But I didn't recognize you when I saw you a little while ago in the machine. Though I might have, if so many things hadn't happened all at once, and made me sort of hazy,” Tom explained.
“Then are you and my brother good friends?” asked Nellie.
“The best ever!” exclaimed Tom, and Jack warmly assented. “Not so many Americans are in this branch of the escadrille as are in others,” Torn went on; “so Harry and Jack and I are a sort of little trio all by ourselves. He hardly ever goes up without us, but we are on a rest billet; and to-day he went up with Du Boise.”
“If he had only come back!” sighed Nellie. “But there! I mustn't complain. Harry wouldn't let me if he were here. We both have to do our duty. Now I'm going to see what I can do to help, and not be silly and do any more fainting. I hope you'll pardon me,” and she smiled at the two boys.
“Of course!” exclaimed Tom, with great emphasis, and again Miss Leroy blushed.
“Then, is to wait the only thing we can do?” she asked.
“That's all,” assented Tom. “We may get a message from the clouds any day.”
“And, oh! I shall pray that it may be favorable!” murmured the girl. “Perhaps I may question this Mr. Du Boise, and learn from him just what happened?” she interrogated.