“Is your husband alive?”
“What is his name?”
“Where does he live?”
To all of these questions Mrs. Gerhardt very humbly answered.
“How many children have you?” he went on.
“Six,” said Mrs. Gerhardt.
“Well,” he returned, “that’s quite a family. You’ve certainly done your duty to the nation.”
“Yes, sir,” returned Mrs. Gerhardt, who was touched by his genial and interesting manner.
“And you say this is your oldest daughter?”
“Yes, sir.”