CHAPTER VII. THE AMERICAN FRONT
Tom and Jack bowed. In fact, so great was their surprise at first that this was all they could do. Then they stared first at Bessie and then at the other girl—the sister of Harry, their chum, who was somewhere, dead or alive, behind the German lines.
“Well, aren't you glad to see her?” demanded Bessie. “I thought I'd surprise you.”
“You have,” said Jack. “Very much!”
“Glad to see her—why—of course. But—but—how—”
Tom found himself stuttering and stammering, so he stopped, and stared so hard at Nellie Leroy that she smiled, though rather sadly, for it was plain to be seen her grief over the possible death of her brother weighed down on her. And then she went on:
“Well, I'm real—I'm not a dream, Mr. Raymond.”
“So I see—I mean I'm glad to see it—I mean—oh, I don't know what I do mean!” he finished desperately. “Did you know she was going to be here? Was that the reason you asked me to come?” he inquired of Jack.
“Hadn't the least notion in the world,” answered Jack. “I'm as much surprised as you are.”