"How do you like the job?" asked Alfred.
"I like anything that will help the boys at the front," was the reply.
"Is this your regular business?" asked Ralph.
"Well, no, not exactly," he replied. "I didn't have any regular business before the war, but when it came along I went back into the army, and I would be there now if the Boches hadn't permanently lamed me; you see I can't quite get my right leg to straighten out. But it's all right; we saved France at the Marne, and I'd give the other leg to give them another such a licking as they got there."
"Let me relieve you," said Alfred after the second hour.
"Why, yes; an offer like that would be acceptable," he replied, as he rose from his seat.
In all their conversation the man had the aspect of a true gentleman, and he was certainly out of his element, in that menial position. Later the boys learned from the assistant on the truck that Loree was the son of a nobleman, and after having been invalided he insisted on taking his place in the capacity where he might be most useful.
"Why, you would be surprised, just as I am and have been ever since this war began, to find how many of the young men of the noble families of France are doing this kind of work, after they have been rendered unfit for duty in the ranks," said their companion to Ralph, as they were seated on the rear of the van.
"How often do you make these trips?" asked Ralph.