"For all summer? For all winter?"
"Yes, dear. I think it may be a year."
"Daddy--" began Keineth, then stopped short to hide her face. Father must not see her cry!
"I'll make a little picture for you, dear. This country of ours is like a great big house. It's like all the homes all over the United States put into one. And it must be tended just as we'd tend our own little home--it must be kept in repair. It must be kept clean and have pretty spots, just like Madame Henri's geraniums! And it must be guarded, too, from those who would break in and steal what belongs in the home--or tear it down and make a ruin of it! And it must know its neighbors and work with them to keep everything peaceful and tidy about the whole street of nations! Don't you remember how I had to argue with Signora Ferocci to make her clean up her back alley?"
They both laughed together over the recollection of their efforts to persuade their next-door neighbor of the joys of cleanliness!
"Every person, big and small, should do his part toward the home-keeping of this big land of ours. And I have been asked to do a service. Soldiers can't do it all, my dear--only a very small part of it! There are a great many others--men like myself--who are going out over the world to work for the Stars and Stripes. And when I have been asked to go on a mission for our country that is very important, even though it takes me very far and keeps me away a very long time, I am sure my loyal little American girl will be the first to bid me go!"
Keineth's eyes were quite dry now and were very bright. She sat up very straight. She had entirely forgotten herself.
"Will you wear a uniform, Daddy?"
"Oh, dear me, no--my work is not of that sort, In fact, I must go about in the quietest manner possible. I cannot even tell my little girl where I am going."
"You mean it's a secret?" the child cried.