"I must go—right off," she said again.
"Wife o' mine," he cried, "there is no need of that."
"Marie!" she called as she reached the door. "Marie!"
Frantically she ran up the stairs.
CHAPTER XXVII
WAR
War!
A summer sky, warm and fragrant, suddenly became dour and overcast. Within a day thunder rolled and lightning flashed. Men glanced up in startled surprise, then clenched their jaws. Women who were laughing gayly turned suddenly white. Orders were speeded over the wires and through the clouds to the remotest hamlets of France. In a few hours men began to gather in uniform, bearing rifles. They posted themselves about the gates of stations. They increased in numbers until they were everywhere. Trumpets sounded, drums rolled. Excited groups gathered in the hotels and rushed off to the consulates. The very air was tense and vibrant.
War!