"But I said that I did appreciate it and that the Gallands have been in infernos before—perhaps not as bad as the one that is coming—but, then, the Gallands must keep abreast of the times," replied Mrs. Galland. "I have asked Minna and she prefers to remain. I am glad of that. I am glad now that we kept her, Marta. She is as loyal as my old maid and the butler and the cook were to your grandmother in the last war. Ah, the Gallands had many servants then!"
"This isn't like the old war. This place will be shelled, enfiladed! And you two—" the captain protested desperately.
"I became a Galland when I married," said Mrs. Galland, "and the Galland women have always remained with their property in time of war. Naturally, I shall remain!"
"Miss Galland, it was you—your influence I was counting on to—" The captain turned to Marta in a final appeal.
Mrs. Galland was watching her daughter's face intently.
"We stay!" replied Marta, and the captain saw in the depths of her eyes, a cold blue-black, that further argument was useless.
With a shrug of his shoulders he was turning to go when his lieutenant, hurrying up and pointing to the row of lindens at the edge of the estate, exclaimed:
"If we only had those trees out of the way! They cut the line of our fire! They form cover and protection for the enemy."
"The orders are against it," replied the captain.
"Lanstron may be a great soldier, but—" declared the lieutenant petulantly.