“Yes. They make their début to-day. Would you like to see them? They’re going forward in a few minutes, I believe.”
Estridge nodded and walked back to the ambulance.
“The woman’s battalion is over in those birch woods, Miss Dumont. Would you care to walk over and see them before they leave for the front trenches?”
The girl in furs said very gravely:
“Yes, I wish to see women who are about to go into battle.”
She rose from the seat, laid a fur-gloved hand on his offered arm, and stepped down onto the snow.
“To serve,” she said, as they started together through the silver birches, following a trodden way, “is not alone the only happiness in life: it is the only reason for living.”
“I know you think so, Miss Dumont.”
“You also must believe so, who are here as a volunteer in Russia.”
“It’s a little more selfish with me. I’m a medical student; it’s a liberal education for me even to drive an ambulance.”