“Unfortunately, I’m afraid you are,” Nona answered, and keeping tight hold of Barbara drew her forward.
“Good morning, Mrs. Curtis,” she exclaimed. “I was under the impression that you were in Paris. It seems more than strange for us to run across each other again and you so near the hospital where we have been located.”
At Nona’s words Mrs. Curtis at once came forward and held out both hands. She was wearing a kimono and did not look attractive, but she smiled so kindly that at least Barbara relented.
“I don’t wonder at your surprise,” she returned immediately. “Only I happen to have the advantage of already knowing what had become of you four girls. But my being near is not so strange as you may think. I told you my son wanted to see what is taking place inside the British trenches. We had to go to Paris for certain papers we could not get in London. But the firing line at present is only a few miles from here, as you know. So, as I wanted to be reasonably near and still in no danger, my son and I looked about to find some place where I could live. There is only an old woman here and a half-witted son. The father and sons are at the front, of course. But I don’t mind being uncomfortable, and then knowing the hospital was so near was such a comfort both to my son and me.”
Mrs. Curtis had not ceased talking an instant and seemed to expect no reply. “Won’t you come in and have coffee with me now?” she urged. “The house is clean as a pin and I’ve a letter from my son to Mildred Thornton I should be so much obliged if you would take to her. I was going to walk over with it myself some time today, but I did not know whether an outsider would be allowed to enter the hospital. One can’t guess what the restrictions may be in these war times.”
She led the way and both girls followed, Barbara because she very much wanted the coffee and to see inside the little French house. She was annoyed at the thought of Brooks Curtis writing to Mildred so soon, but it was scarcely any business of hers. In any case, she did not see how she could prevent it, since Mrs. Curtis would undoubtedly deliver her son’s letter unless one of them did.
Nona, however, had no such feeling. She simply had a half-conscious prejudice against breaking bread with a woman whom she neither liked nor trusted. But then she had no real reason for her point of view and had promised herself to rise above it.
Of course, it might be only a coincidence, Mrs. Curtis’ evident intention to attach herself to them. But after all, what possible reason could she have except the desire for a little friendly intimacy? Naturally she must be lonely with her son away on his newspaper work.