It need not be thought for an instant that, in the rush of events of the last few days, the work of the Red Cross Group had lessened.
On the contrary, the Mayor had replied almost at once and had given his permission, including that of the Commissioner of Parks, for the use of one of the parks in the neighborhood of the High School. In addition he had told them that other groups and clubs in other sections were receiving permission in the same way.
Monday brought a letter from the president of the railroad company. He told them that no written permission could be given but that any gardening done on their property would be respected by that company. Upon receipt of this information Miss James had written the newspapers so that proper publicity could be given the fact and people avail themselves of the opportunity to obtain a garden plot.
The Red Cross Girls met that night. Over one hundred and fifty now belonged. All of them had donated some money at every meeting and the group now sent seventy-five dollars in cash to the Red Cross Committee. At this meeting they were divided into six groups of twenty-five each and each group assigned to certain definite work on the big garden they were to start in the park. This idea had been suggested by one of the men on the Park Board who had been a visitor at the meeting.
But it was a late spring. The weather stayed cold despite the eagerness and desire for warmth and sunshine on the part of the Red Cross workers. The girls felt that they had done almost everything possible in their gardening, and although a few found their interest abating, the larger number kept pluckily at the duty assigned to each.
The days passed swiftly now. Mrs. Anderson soon made the girls understand that she was still Aunt Madge to them. She renewed her interest in their doings and was able to help Miss James in the organization and planning of the Red Cross Group.
Throughout the country the realization of war came slowly. Somehow it was hard to believe that the country was at war, hard to realize that the German nation, so long on friendly terms with our own land, was now an enemy. It dawned slowly in people's minds.
New York City was never so gay. Soldiers were everywhere. One felt, however, that beneath the outward gayety and color the city was prepared for whatever might come.
A rare treat was given to Mary Lee and Letty who were invited by Dr. Anderson to accompany Mrs. Anderson and himself to a point of vantage where they could see General Joffre and the ex-premier of France, Monsieur Viviani. Never had the two girls been so impressed as they were by the simple, kindly looking old man in the uniform of France. There was a greatness about him which both girls felt. And Mary Lee also felt that it was a history-making epoch. She was glad that in the future she would be able to say that she had seen the big man of France. He was a character that one could never forget.