Another moment she continued staring and then touched Lieutenant Martin on the arm, directing his attention to what had attracted hers.
Madame Bonnèt observed them both.
“Why are you both so interested?” she asked. “It cannot be possible you know my little French girl? She wandered into our camp only two or three days ago, bringing a French soldier with her, some poor fellow who has been injured and has forgotten his own history. She says they have been tramping from village to village, hoping to find his regiment or someone who would recognize him. People have been kind to them everywhere and have fed them along the way. It seems the French soldier was stripped of his uniform, his number, everything that might identify him. Only his little friend insists upon calling him Captain. They came to the American camp by mistake, believing it a French one. Then some of the soldiers brought them to me and I am caring for them before they move on again.”
Nona went over to the little girl and held out her hand.
“Jeanne,” she began, “you will not recognize me, but I saw you one day from a car window and we talked to each other. It is late tonight, but I am coming to Madame Bonnèt’s tomorrow to talk to you again if I may.”
Jeanne made a little curtsey.
“I do remember and I shall be happy to see you,” she returned, with unfailing French courtesy.
CHAPTER XIII
A Closer Bond
NEXT day as soon as she had the opportunity Nona walked over to Madame Bonnèt’s.
She had made an effort to see Barbara and try to awaken her interest in their little French acquaintance, but again Barbara had disappeared. But then she naturally had a good many things to attend to in connection with winding up the business connected with the entertainment of the night before.