“I have been carrying around a little gold luck piece someone gave me as a child. May I tie it around my pigeon, so if we ever meet again I may recognize her as my namesake?”
Then Nona felt embarrassed by her own sentimentality. She had thought no one was paying attention to her except Madame Bonnèt, and here were the two young American officers whom they had met upon their railway journey through France, waiting to speak to their hostess. Evidently they had been quartered in Madame Bonnèt’s home.
Candidly, Nona did not like Lieutenant Martin and had never liked him in their slight acquaintance as boy and girl.
Yet these repeated meetings with persons whom one does not expect to see again are always taking place.
Madame Bonnèt shook hands with the two young officers. One could see how much they both admired the fine French woman.
“I am told Lieutenant Martin is a wireless expert, so he is probably scornful of my carrier pigeons,” Madame Bonnèt said good naturedly. “You see, he represents the newest, while my pigeons represent the oldest method of communication in war. Pigeons were used by the Saracens in the first crusade. Nevertheless, Lieutenant Martin, when you leave for the front, I intend to make you a present of one of my old-fashioned messengers. It would be strange if you should find my gift useful.”
To Nona’s surprise Lieutenant Martin said quickly:
“Then may I have the pigeon I just overheard you naming for Miss Davis?”
And Madame Bonnèt laughed and agreed.