Next morning, when the people came into church, every eye turned startled to one spot. At the right of the pulpit, on the floor just below, lifted a straight and sturdy standard. From it hung the American flag, its silken folds motionless in the still air, yet seeming alive in the glory of its vivid colour. Above it hung the only flag which held the right to hang above the National emblem—that of the Church Militant, the pure white pennant with its cross of blue.
In a brief service Robert Black, his face showing red and white by turns with a restrained emotion he could not wholly conceal, dedicated the two flags, and his people had their first glimpse of what it might mean to him and them before it should all be over and peace again upon the earth. They couldn’t know that to him the real dedication of the two flags had taken place the night before, when alone in the church he had lifted them into place and knelt before them, vowing anew his vow of allegiance and of service to God and country, a vow never again to be insecure upon his lips.
CHAPTER XII
EVERYBODY PLOTS
“MAY I come in?”
Nan Lockhart hardly paused for permission to enter Fanny’s room, so accustomed was she to share intimately with her friend most of her possessions, including rooms. Therefore she followed her knock and question with her entrance—and paused upon the threshold with a boyish whistle of surprise not unmixed with derision.
Fanny turned away from the long mirror with a little laugh. “Well, how do you like me in it?” she inquired.
“Oh, you’re stunning, of course,” Nan admitted. “Trying on all the different forms of war service, to see which is most becoming? You’ll let that decide it, of course?”
“Certainly, Miss Cynic! And why not? Shouldn’t a girl make the most of herself, under all conditions?”
Fanny had donned a white blouse and skirt, white shoes and stockings, and had pinned a white towel about her head. She had even gone to the trouble of cutting out a small red cross and fastening it upon the front of her head-gear. The towel did not entirely cover her hair; engaging ringlets showed themselves about her small ears. She resembled a fascinating young nun except that in her eyes danced a most unconventional wickedness.
“This is merely stage play, I suppose?” Nan questioned dryly. “You’ve no possible thought of offering your services, in towels or out of them?”