And then for the time being Dave dismissed Nat Poole from his mind, never for a moment dreaming of what trouble the coming of this fellow to France portended.
CHAPTER V
NEWS FROM HOME
Immediately after receiving his letter from Laura, Roger had been called away to perform some duties as a corporal, consequently it was not until some time later that Dave met him again. In the meantime the young sergeant ran across Phil, who was all smiles.
“Everything is going along beautifully with the Endicotts,” announced the shipowner’s son. “Belle is deep in Red Cross work, and has promised to send me a fine sweater she is making for the coming winter. Her mother is in the work, too. Mr. Endicott, of course, has his hands full with railroad matters, for the road is shipping large quantities of provisions and war materials, as well as many soldiers. He says they are also raising an extra large amount of cattle on Star Ranch, because the packing-houses want all they can get.”
“I’m glad to hear everything is going along so swimmingly,” announced Dave.
“Did you get a letter from Jessie?”
“I did not—worse luck! But I got a letter from my Uncle Dunston, and he says they are all well with the exception of poor old Professor Potts, who seems to be growing quite feeble. He wrote about Nat Poole, who was drafted, and he says Nat is now on the way to France.”
“You don’t say, Dave! That certainly is news. How angry old Aaron Poole must have been when they drafted Nat!”
“I suppose that is so, Phil. But I don’t believe Mrs. Poole was angry. If you’ll remember, she was quite a patriotic woman, and insisted on doing a lot for the Red Cross in spite of her husband’s objections.”
“Yes, I remember that. Probably she is proud to know her son is in the army. I’d like to know how Nat takes it.”