"We'll camouflage it, all right," Archer added.
For a moment she lingered as if thinking if there were anything more she might do for their comfort. Then against her protest, Tom accompanied her part way back and they paused for a moment under the thickly covered trellis, for she would not let him approach the house.
"I'm sorry we made you so much trouble," he said; "it's only because we want to get to where we can fight for you."
"Oh, yess, I know," she answered sadly. "My pappa, it break his heart because he cannot make you ze true welcome. But you do not know. We are—how you say—persecute—all ze time. Zey own Alsace, but zey do not love Alsace. It is like—it is like ze stepfather—you see?" she added, her voice breaking. "So zey have always treat us."
For a few seconds Tom stood, awkward and uncomfortable; then clumsily he reached out his hand and took hers.
"You don't mean they'll take you like they took the people from Belgium, do you?" he asked.
"Ziss is worse zan Belgium," Florette sobbed. "Zere ze people can escape to England."
"Where would they send you?" Tom asked.
"Maybe far north into Prussia. Maybe still in Alsace. All ze familees zey will separate so zey shall meex wiz ze Zhermans." Florette suddenly grasped his hand. "I am glad I see you. So now I can see all ze Americans come—hoondreds——
"Tomorrow in ze night I will bring you ze clothes," she whispered, "and more food, and zen you will be rested——"