The squad Weller was forming was hastily gathering up grenades, bazookas, and other equipment.
André asked the Maquis anxiously, “Can you tell me anything about St. Sauveur? How is the battle going beyond Ste. Mère?”
François looked solemn, but answered quickly. “St. Sauveur, we think, is still mostly outside the fighting. Not all of Ste. Mère has been cleared of Germans yet. But the center of the town is under control. At least, the Americans have the French flag flying from Ste. Mère Église’s town hall. None of the Allied tanks have come through yet and they are badly needed. Also, in some places the Americans are running short of ammunition. And the Nazis are building up their forces near the bridges over the Merderet River, west of Ste. Mère.”
He broke off at Weller’s signal, and with the sergeant’s squad slipped out through the barnyard.
“The French flag flying from Ste. Mère Église’s town hall!” André repeated it aloud. And a familiar voice at the doorway echoed the great words.
Raoul Cotein stood just outside the door. His arm and forehead were bandaged, and in his hand was a package wrapped in a napkin.
He took a step forward. “My wife—well, she is troubled because your mother and sister are not here. If you will just accept these few sandwiches?”
The squad gathered up grenades, bazookas, and other equipment
André took the packet with a puzzled “Thank you,” and stared at his suddenly subdued neighbor.