“But we do care,” cried the girl. “My father and mother just love soldiers. Oh, if you would only go to them they would care for you. Do go. Will you?”
A smile lighted up the young man’s face as he noted her warmth.
“I wish all your people were like you,” he said. “It would not be so hard to do my duty then.”
“We are all just alike,” said Jeanne. “My father would be proud to have you honor his house. And you are an officer, too,” she added, glancing at his epaulets.
“Only a lieutenant.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter what you are since you are a soldier. Have you a pencil and paper?”
“Yes; why?”
“I want to give you my father’s address. You will go there, won’t you?”
“My little girl,” the young man’s voice was husky. “I couldn’t do that, you know. Why, it would be monstrous to intrude upon them.”
“No; it would not,” declared Jeanne. “I wish I were going home. I’d make you go with me. But won’t you go? Truly they would welcome you as if you were Dick, my brother. And if you don’t go, I’ll always feel as if something had happened to you just because you had no place to go. You have done a great deal for our side, you know.”