“I wished to tell you once again how more than grateful I am to you for your great kindness,” the officer continued, smiling in spite of his serious state of mind at the unexpectedness of Sally’s appearance. Looking at her now, it was hard to believe that she had ever assumed the arduous burden of nursing a wounded soldier under more than trying conditions. Yet if Sally had not been immature, she would have never have shouldered such a responsibility!
She was smiling now and dimpling in an irresistible fashion.
“Will you make me a promise?” she demanded. “It is the one thing I ask of you. If you are really under the impression that I was good to you when I was merely risking your life, then promise never to refer to what I did for you as long as you live and never mention the story to anybody who could have the faintest chance of knowing me. You see,” Sally continued, her manner becoming more confidential, “I realize now that from every point of view I was foolish. It is kind of you to have turned out to be some one whom Miss Patricia and all of us are able to know, for you might have been a most impossible person.”
The young French officer laughed. As he recalled their last meeting and this one his benefactress struck him as a person who had the gift of provoking laughter.
“I think this a good deal to require of me,” he returned. “I will do what you ask only on condition that you—-”
“That I promise to allow you to do a favor for me some day?” Sally completed the unfinished sentence. “I suppose that is what you were about to say, wasn’t it? Of course you can do whatever kindness you like if you have the chance. But it does not seem probable. After you go away from the farm I can’t imagine any reason why we should ever see each other again. Besides, you would do whatever you could for me whether I gave you permission or not.” Here Sally smiled a second time.
For an instant the French officer stared, nonplussed.
But he was not the first person whom Sally had puzzled. She was so matter of fact and so sure of herself one could not tell whether she was extremely simple or correspondingly subtle.
Since her companion regarded her as a child, he could have but one impression.
When finally he held out his hand, Sally hesitated an instant before placing her own inside his. His exhibition of French courtesy and gratitude at their last meeting had been slightly embarrassing. But this time the lieutenant only held her hand gravely.