“Well, she said she doubted very much whether Fräulein was loyal to the United States, and she thought Miss Minton ought not to keep her any longer.” Two bright red spots were beginning to burn in Gretel’s cheeks.
“Miss Minton wouldn’t be so unkind as to send Fräulein away now,” she said. “There wouldn’t be any place for her to go except to her uncle’s, and I’m sure she wouldn’t be happy there. He always makes her pay board in the vacations, and if she hadn’t any money I’m afraid he would be very disagreeable. I saw him once, when I went to tea with Fräulein and her aunt, and he had such a hard, cruel face.”
Geraldine looked grave.
“Well, I hope it won’t happen,” she said, “but most of the girls say they won’t take any more German lessons now we are at war. I wouldn’t worry about it, anyhow. Miss Minton is strict, but she is never unjust. Even if she should send Fräulein away, I’m sure she would pay her for the rest of the term. Oh, Gretel, isn’t the war exciting? Just think, lots of people we know may have to go.”
Gretel’s lip quivered.
“I know,” she said, softly. “It’s very terrible. My heart has been so heavy all the evening that I just couldn’t play games. Geraldine, let’s say our prayers together, and ask God to take care of our dear ones, and bring this dreadful fighting and killing to an end before long.”
“All right,” said Geraldine, in a tone of unusual gravity. “Of course it’s terrible, only at first it seemed so exciting I didn’t think of anything else. I suppose it’s very selfish, but I can’t help being thankful Father is over age, and Jerry only fourteen. Molly Chester said the same thing about her family this evening.”
Gretel smiled indulgently, for, though Geraldine was only a year younger than herself, she still looked upon her friend as quite a little girl.
“I’m thankful, too,” she said. “I suppose Percy is over age, too, but I don’t know what he may decide to do. He thought America ought to have gone into the war two years ago. Now hurry and undress, and then we’ll say our prayers, and try to go to sleep.”