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Bab: A Sub-Deb, a novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart |
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Chapter 5. The G.A.C. |
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_ CHAPTER V. THE G.A.C.
My trunk has now gone, and I have but just returned from Chapel, where Miss Everett made a Speach, as the Head has quinzy. She raised a large Emblem that we have purchaced at fifty cents each, and said in a thrilling voice that our beloved Country was now at war, and expected each and all to do his duty. "I shall not," she said, "point out to any the Fields of their Usefulness. That they must determine for themselves. But I know that the Girls of this school will do what they find to do, and return to the school at the end of two weeks, school opening with evening Chapel as usual and no tardiness permitted, better off for the use they have made of this Precious Period." We then sang the Star-Spangled Banner, all standing and facing the piano, but watching to see if Fraulein sang, which she did. Because there are those who consider that she is a German Spy. I am now sitting in the Upper House, wondering what I can do. For I am like this and always have been. I am an American through and through, having been told that I look like a tipical American girl. And I do not beleive in allowing Patriotism to be a matter of words--words, emty words. No. I am one who beleives in doing things, even though necesarily small. What if I can be but one of the little drops of Water or little grains of Sand? I am ready to rise like a lioness to my country's call and would, if permitted and not considered imodest by my Familey, put on the clothing of the Other Sex and go into the trenches. What can I do? It is strange to be going home in this manner, thinking of Duty and not of boys and young men. Usualy when about to return to my Familey I think of Clothes and AFFAIRS DE COUER, because at school there is nothing much of either except on Friday evenings. But now all is changed. All my friends of the Other Sex will have roused to the defense of their Country, and will be away. And I to must do my part, or bit, as the English say. But what? Oh what?
The way I thought of it was this: I had been sitting in deep thought, and although returning to my Familey was feeling sad at the idea of my Country at war and I not helping. Because what could I do, alone and unarmed? What was my strength against that of the German Army? A trifle light as air! It was at this point in my pain and feeling of being utterly useless, that a young man in the next seat asked if he might close the Window, owing to Soot and having no other coller with him. I assented. How little did I realize that although resembling any other Male of twenty years, he was realy Providence? The way it happened was in this manner. Although not supposed to talk on trains, owing to once getting the wrong suit-case, etcetera, one cannot very well refuse to anser if one is merely asked about a Window. And also I pride myself on knowing Human Nature, being seldom decieved as to whether a gentleman or not. I gave him a steady glance, and saw that he was one. I then merely said to him that I hoped he intended to enlist, because I felt that I could at least do this much for my Native Land. "I have already done so," he said, and sat down beside me. He was very interesting and I think will make a good soldier, although not handsome. He said he had been to Plattsburg the summer before, drilling, and had not been the same since, feeling now very ernest and only smoking three times a day. And he was two inches smaller in the waste and three inches more in chest. He then said: "If some of you girls with nothing to do would only try it you would have a new outlook on Life." "Nothing to do!" I retorted, in an angry manner. "I am sick and tired of the way my Sex is always reproached as having nothing to do. If you consider French and music and Algebra and History and English composition nothing, as well as keeping house and having children and atending to social duties, I DO not." "Sorry," he said, stiffly. "Of course I had no idea--do you mean that you have a Familey of your own?" "I was refering to my Sex in general," I replied, in a cold tone. He then said that there were Camps for girls, like Plattsburg only more Femanine, and that they were bully. (This was his word. I do not use slang.) "You see," he said, "they take a lot of over-indulged society girls and make them over into real People." Ye gods! Over-indulged! "Why don't you go to one?" he then asked. "Evadently," I said, "I am not a real Person." "Well, I wouldn't go as far as that. But there isn't much left of the way God made a girl, by the time she's been curled and dressed and governessed for years, is there? They can't even walk, but they talk about helping in the War. It makes me sick!" I now saw that I had made a mistake, and began reading a Magazine, so he went back to his seat and we were as strangers again. As I was very angry I again opened my window, and he got a cinder in his eye and had to have the Porter get it out. He got out soon after, and he had the impertinance to stop beside me and say: "I hate to disapoint you, but I find I have a clean coller in my bag after all." He then smiled at me, although I gave him no encouragment whatever, and said: "You're sitting up much better, you know. And if you would take off those heals I'll venture to say you could WALK with any one." I detested him with feirceness at that time. But since then I have pondered over what he said. For it is my Nature to be fair and to consider things from every angel. I therfore said this to myself. "If members of the Male Sex can reduce their wastes and increase their usefulness to their Native Land by camping, exercising and drilling, why not get up a camp of my own, since I knew that I would not be alowed to go away to train, owing to my Familey?" I am always one to decide quickly. So I have now made a sketch of a Unaform and written out the names of ten girls who will be home when I am. I here write out the Purpose of our organisation:
MOTTO: To be voted on later. PASSWORD: Plattsburg. DUES: Ten dollars each in advance to buy Tent, etcetera. UNAFORM: Kakhi, with orange-colored necktie. In times of danger the orange color to be changed to something which will not atract the guns of the Enemy. NAME: Girls' Aviation Corps. But to be known generally as the G. A. C. as because of Spies and so on we must be as secret as possable.
I have also decided to be Captain, as having organised the Camp and having a right to be.
But I must not complain. It is war time. I shall now record the events from 5 P. M. to the present. Father met me at the station as usual, and asked me if I cared to stop and buy some candy on the way home. Ye gods, was I in a mood for candy? "I think not, father," I replied, in a dignafied way. "Our dear Country is now at war, and it is no time for self-indulgence." "Good for you!" he said. "Evadently that school of yours is worth something after all. But we might have a bit of candy, anyhow, don't you think? Because we want to keep our Industries going and money in circulation." I could not refuse under such circumstances, and purchaced five pounds. Alas, war has already made changes in my Familey. George, the butler, has felt the call of Duty and has enlisted, and we now have a William who chips the best china, and looks like a German although he says not, and willing to put out the Natioual Emblem every morning from a window in father's dressing room. Which if he is a Spy he would probably not do, or at least without being compeled to. I said nothing about the G. A. C. during dinner, as I was waiting to see if father would give me ten dollars before I organized it. But I am a person of strong feelings, and I was sad and depressed, thinking of my dear Country at War and our beginning with soup and going on through as though nothing was happening. I therfore observed that I considered it unpatriotic, with the Enemy at our gatez, to have Sauterne on the table and a Cocktail beforehand, as well as expencive tobacco and so on, even although economising in other ways, such as furnature. "What's that?" my father said to me, in a sharp tone. "Let her alone, father," Leila said. "She's just dramatising herself as usual. We're probably in for a dose of Patriotism." I would perhaps have made a sharp anser, but a street piano outside began to play The Star-Spangled Banner. I then stood up, of course, and mother said: "Sit down, for heaven's sake, Barbara." "Not until our National Anthem is finished, mother," I said in a tone of gentle reproof. "I may not vote or pay taxes, but this at least I can do." Well, father got up to, and drank his coffee standing. But he gave William a dollar for the man outside, and said to tell him to keep away at meal times as even patriotism requires nourishment. After dinner in the drawing room, mother said that she was going to let me give a Luncheon. "There are about a dosen girls coming out when you do, Bab," she said. "And you might as well begin to get acquainted. We can have it at the Country Club, and have some boys, and tennis afterwards, if the courts are ready." "Mother!" I cried, stupafied. "How can you think of Social pleasures when the enemy is at our gates?" "Oh nonsense, Barbara," she replied in a cold tone. "We intend to do our part, of course. But what has that to do with a small Luncheon?" "I do not feel like festivaty," I said. "And I shall be very busy this holaday, because although young there are some things I can do." Now I have always loved my mother, although feeling sometimes that she had forgoten about having been a girl herself once, and also not being much given to Familey embrases because of her hair being marceled and so on. I therfore felt that she would probably be angry and send me to bed. But she was not. She got up very sudenly and came around the table while William was breaking a plate in the pantrey, and put her hand on my shoulder. "Dear little Bab!" she said. "You are right and I am wrong, and we will just turn in and do what we can, all of us. We will give the party money to the Red Cross." I was greatly agatated, but managed to ask for the ten dollars for my share of the Tent, etcetera, although not saying exactly what for, and father passed it over to me. War certainly has changed my Familey, for even Leila came over a few moments ago with a hat that she had bought and did not like. I must now stop and learn the Star-Spangled Banner by heart, having never known but the first verse, and that not entirely.
I was learning the second verse by singing it, when father came over in his ROBE DE NUIT, although really pagamas, and said that he enjoyed it very much, and of course I was right to learn it as aforsaid, but that if the Familey did not sleep it could not be very usefull to the Country the next day such as making shells and other explosives.
"I'm just crazy about it. What sort of a Unaform will we have?" This is like Jane, who puts clothes before everything. But I told her what I had in mind, and she said it sounded perfectly thrilling. "We each of us ought to learn some one thing," she said, "so we can do it right. It's an age of Specialties. Suppose you take up signaling, or sharp-shooting if you prefer it, and I can learn wireless telegraphy. And maybe Betty will take the flying course, because we ought to have an Aviator and she is afraid of nothing, besides having an uncle who is thinking of buying an Aeroplane." "What else would you sugest?" I said freezingly. Because to hear her one would have considered the entire G. A. C. as her own idea. "Well," she said, "I don't know, unless we have a Secret Service and guard your father's mill. Because every one thinks he is going to have trouble with Spies." I made no reply to this, as William was dusting the Drawing Room, but said, "Come over. We can discuss that privatly." I then rang off. I am terrably worried, because my father is my best friend, having always understood me. I cannot endure to think that he is in danger. Alas, how true are the words of Dryden:
"We have a Constitution, Jane," I said, solemnly. "The Constitution of the United States, and if it is good enough for a whole Country I darsay it is good enough for us. As for By-laws, we can make them as we need them, which is the way laws ought to be made anyhow." We then made a list, Jane calling up as I got the numbers in the telephone book. Everybody accepted, although Betty Anderson objected to the orange tie because she has red hair, and one of the Robinson twins could not get ten dollars because she was on probation at School and her Familey very cold with her. But she had loned a girl at school five dollars and was going to write for it at once, and thought she could sell a last year's sweater for three dollars to their laundress's daughter. We therfore admited her. All is going well, unless our Parents refuse, which is not likely, as we intend to purchace the Tent and Unaforms before consulting them. It is the way of Parents not to care to see money wasted. Our motto we have decided on. It is but three letters, W. I. H., and is a secret.
We held a meeting early this P. M. in our library, all doors being closed and Sentries posted. I had made some fudge also, although the cook, who is a new one, was not pleasant about the butter and so on. We had intended to read the Constitution of the U. S. out loud, but as it is long we did not, but signed our names to it in my father's copy of the American Common Wealth. We then went out and bought the Tent and ten camp chairs, although not expecting to have much time to sit down. The G. A. C. was then ready for duty. Before disbanding for the day I made a short speach in the shop, which was almost emty. I said that it was our intention to show the members of the Other Sex that we were ready to spring to the Country's call, and also to assist in recruiting by visiting the different Milatary Stations and there encouraging those who looked faint-hearted and not willing to fight. "Each day," I said, in conclusion, "one of us will be selected by the Captain, myself, to visit these places and as soon as a man has signed up, to pin a flower in his buttonhole. As we have but little money, the tent having cost more than expected, we can use carnations as not expencive." The man who had sold us the tent thought this was a fine idea, and said he thought he would enlist the next day, if we would be around. We then went went to a book shop and bought the Plattsburg Manual, and I read to the members of the Corps these rules, to be strictly observed:
2. Wear your hat so that the brim is parallel to the ground. 3. Have all buttons fastened. 4. Never have sleeves rolled up. 5. Never wear sleeve holders. 6. Never leave shirt or coat unbuttoned at the throat. 7. Have leggins and trousers properly laced. (Only leggins). 8. Keep shoes shined. 9. Always be clean shaved. (Unecessary). 10. Keep head up and shoulders square. 11. Camp life has a tendency to make one careless as to personal cleanliness. Bear this in mind.
On returning to my domacile I discovered that, although the sun had set and the hour of twilight had arived, the Emblem of my Country still floated in the breese. This made me very angry, and ringing the door-bell I called William to the steps and pointing upward, I said: "William, what does this mean?" He pretended not to understand, although avoiding my eye. "What does what mean, Miss Barbara?" "The Emblem of my Country, and I trust of yours, for I understand you are naturalized, although if not you'd better be, floating in the breese AFTER SUNSET." Did I or did I not see his face set into the lines of one who had little or no respect for the Flag? "I'll take it down when I get time, miss," he said, in a tone of resignation. "But what with making the salid and laying the table for dinner and mixing cocktails, and the cook so ugly that if I as much as ask for the paprika she's likely to throw a stove lid, I haven't much time for Flags." I regarded him sternly. "Beware, William," I said. "Remember that, although probably not a Spy or at least not dangerous, as we in this country now have our eyes open and will stand no nonsense, you must at all times show proper respect to the National Emblem. Go upstairs and take it in." "Very well, miss," he said. "But perhaps you will allow me to say this, miss. There are to many houses in this country where the Patriotic Feeling of the inhabatants are shown only by having a paid employee hang out and take in what you call The Emblem." He then turned and went in, leaving me in a stupafied state on the door-step. But I am not one to be angry on hearing the truth, although painfull. I therfore ran in after him and said: "William, you are right and I am wrong. Go back to your Pantrey, and leave the Flag to me. From now on it will be my duty." I therfore went upstairs to my father's dressing room, where he was shaveing for dinner, and opened the window. He was disagreable and observed: "Here, shut that! It's as cold as blue blazes." I turned and looked at him in a severe manner. "I am sorry, father," I said. "But as between you and my Country I have no choice." "What the dickens has the Country got to do with giving me influensa?" he exclaimed, glaring at me. "Shut that window." I folded my arms, but remained calm. "Father," I said, in a low and gentle tone, "need I remind you that it is at present almost seven P. M. and that the Stars and Stripes, although supposed to be lowered at sunset, are still hanging out this window?" "Oh, that's it, is it?" he said in a releived tone. "You're nothing if you're not thorough, Bab! Well, as they have hung an hour and fifteen minutes to long as it is, I guess the Country won't go to the dogs if you shut that window until I get a shirt on. Go away and send Williarm up in ten minutes." "Father," I demanded, intencely, "do you consider yourself a Patriot?" "Well," he said, "I'm not the shouting tipe, but I guess I'll be around if I'm needed. Unless I die of the chill I'm getting just now, owing to one shouting Patriot in the Familey." "Is this your Country or William's?" I insisted, in an inflexable voice. "Oh, come now," he said, "we can divide it, William and I. There's enough for both. I'm not selfish." It is always thus in my Familey. They joke about the most serious things, and then get terrably serious about nothing at all, such as overshoes on wet days, or not passing in French grammer, or having a friend of the Other Sex, etcetera. "There are to many houses in this country, father," I said, folding my arms, "where the Patriotism of the Inhabatants is shown by having a paid employee hang out and take in the Emblem between Cocktails and salid, so to speak." "Oh damm!" said my father, in a feirce voice. "Here, get away and let me take it in. And as I'm in my undershirt I only hope the neighbors aren't looking out." He then sneazed twice and drew in the Emblem, while I stood at the Salute. How far, how very far from the Plattsburg Manual, which decrees that our flag be lowered to the inspiring music of the Star-Spangled Banner, or to the bugel call, "To the Colors." Such, indeed, is life.
"Please pardon me if I do not talk much, as I am in low spirits." "Low spirits on a holaday!" he exclaimed. "Well, we'll have to fix that. How about a motor Picnic?" It is always like that in our house. They regard a Party or a Picnic as a cure for everything, even a heartache, or being worried about Spies, etcetera. "No, thank you," I said. "I am worried about those of my friends who have enlisted." I then gave him a scornful glance and left the room. He said "Bab!" in a strange voice and I heard him coming after me. So I ran as fast as I could to my Chamber and locked the door.
We are now in Camp, although not in Unaform, owing to the delivery waggon not coming yet with our clothes. I am writing on a pad on my knee, while my Orderley, Betty Anderson, holds the ink bottle. What a morning we have had! Would one not think that, in these terrable times, it would be a simple matter to obtain a spot wherein to prepare for the defence of the Country? Should not the Young be encouraged to spring to the call, "To arms, to arms, ye braves!" instead of being reproved for buying a Tent with no place as yet to put it, and the Adams's governess being sent along with Elaine because we need a Chaperone? Ye gods! A Chaperone to a Milatary Camp! She is now sitting on one of the camp stools and embroidering a centerpeice. She brought her own lunch and Elaine's, refusing to allow her to eat the regular Milatary rations of bacon and boiled potatoes, etcetera, and not ofering a thing to us, although having brought chicken sandwitches, cake and fruit. I shall now put down the events of the day, as although the Manual says nothing of keeping a record, I am sure it is always done. Have I not read, again and again, of the Captain's log, which is not wood, as it sounds, but is a journal or Dairy? This morning the man at the tent store called up and asked where to send the tent. I then called a meeting in my Chamber, only to meet with bitter disapointment, as one Parent after another had refused to allow their grounds to be used. I felt sad--helpless, as our house has no grounds, except for hanging out washing, etcetera. I was very angry and tired to, having had to get up at sunrise to put out the Emblem, and father having wakened and been very nasty. So I got up and said: "It is clear that our Families are Patriots in name only, and not in deed. Since they have abandoned us, The G. A. C. must abandon them and do as it thinks best. Between Familey and Country, I am for the Country." Here they all cheered, and Hannah came in and said mother had a headache and to keep quiet. I could but look around, with an eloquent gesture. "You see, Members of the Corps," I said in a tence voice, "that things at present are intollerable. We must strike out for ourselves. Those who are willing please signafy by saying Aye." They all said it and I then sugested that we take my car and as many as possable of the officers and go out to find a suitable spot. I then got my car and crowded into it the First and Second Lieutenants, the Sergeant and the Quartermaster, which was Jane. She had asked to be Veterinarian, being fond of dogs, but as we had no animals, I had made her Quartermaster, giving her charge of the Quarters, or Tent, etcetera. The others followed in the Adams's limousine, taking also cooking utensils and food, although Mademoiselle was very disagreeable about the frying pan and refused to hold it. We went first to the tent store. The man in the shop then instructed me as to how to put up the Tent, and was very kind, offering to send some one to do it. But I refused. "One must learn to do things oneself if one is to be usefull," I said. "It is our intention to call on no member of the Male Sex, but to show that we can get along without them." "Quite right," he said. "I'm sure you can get along without us, miss, much better than we could get along without you." Mademoiselle considered this a flirtatious speach and walked out of the shop. But I consider that it was a General Remark and not personal, and anyhow he was thirty at least, and had a married apearance. As there was not room for the Tent and camp chairs in my car, the delivery waggon followed us, making quite a procession. We tried several farm houses, but one and all had no Patriotism whatever and refused to let us use their terratory. It was heartrending, for where we not there to help to protect that very terratory from the enemy? But no, they cared not at all, and said they did not want papers all over the place, and so on. One woman observed that she did not object to us, but that we would probably have a lot of boys hanging around and setting fire to things with cigarettes, and anyhow if we were going to shoot it would keep the hens from laying. Ye gods! Is this our National Spirit? I simply stood up in the car and said: "Madame, we intend to have no Members of the Other Sex. And if you put eggs above the Stars and Stripes you are nothing but a Traitor and we will keep an eye on you." We then went on, and at last found a place where no one was living, and decided to claim it in the name of the government. We then put up the tent, although not as tight as it should have been, owing to the Adams's chauffeur not letting us have his wrench to drive the pins in with, and were ready for the day's work. We have now had luncheon and the Quartermaster, Jane, is burning the papers and so on. After I have finished this Log we will take up the signaling. We have decided in this way: Lining up in a row, and counting one to ten, and even numbers will study flag signals, and the odds will take up telagraphy, which is very clearly shown in the Manual. After that we will have exercises to make us strong and elastic, and then target practise. We have as yet no guns, but father has one he uses for duck shooting in the fall, and Betty's uncle was in Africa last year and has three, which she thinks she can secure without being noticed. We have passed this Resolution: To have nothing to do with those of the other Sex who are not prepared to do their Duty.
Carter Brooks came to dinner, and I played the National Anthem on the phonograph as we went in to the Dining Room. Mother did not like it, as the soup was getting cold, but we all stood until it was finished. I then saluted, and we sat down. Carter Brooks sat beside me, and he gave me a long and piercing glance. "What's the matter with you, Bab?" he said. "You were rather rude to me last night and now you've been looking through me and not at me ever since I came, and I'll bet you're feverish." "Not at all." I said, in a cold tone. "I may be excited, because of war and my Country's Peril. But for goodness sake don't act like the Familey, which always considers that I am sick when I am merely intence." "Intence about what?" he asked. But can one say when one's friends are a disapointment to one? No, or at least not at the table. The others were not listening, as father was fussing about my waking him at daylight to put out the Emblem. "Just slide your hand this way, under the table cloth," Carter Brooks said in a low tone. "It may be only intencity, but it looks most awfully like chicken pocks or somthing." So I did, considering that it was only Politeness, and he took it and said: "Don't jerk! It is nice and warm and soft, but not feverish. What's that lump?" "It's a blister," I said. And as the others were now complaining about the soup, I told him of the Corps, etcetera, thinking that perhaps it would rouse him to some patriotic feelings. But no, it did not. "Now look here," he said, turning and frowning at me, "Aviation Corps means flying. Just remember this,--if I hear of your trying any of that nonsense I'll make it my business to see that you're locked up, young lady." "I shall do exactly as I like, Carter" I said in a friggid manner. "I shall fly if I so desire, and you have nothing to say about it." However, seeing that he was going to tell my father, I added: "We shall probably not fly, as we have no machine. There are Cavalry Regiments that have no horses, aren't there? But we are but at the beginning of our Milatary existence, and no one can tell what the next day may bring forth." "Not with you, anyhow," he said in an angry tone, and was very cold to me the rest of the dinner hour. They talked about the war, but what a disapointment was mine! I had returned from my Institution of Learning full of ferver, and it was a bitter moment when I heard my father observe that he felt he could be of more use to his Native Land by making shells than by marching and carrying a gun, as he had once had milk-leg and was never the same since. "Of course," said my father, "Bab thinks I am a slacker. But a shell is more valuable against the Germans than a milk leg, anytime." I at that moment looked up and saw William looking at my father in a strange manner. To those who were not on the alert it might have apeared that he was trying not to smile, my father having a way of indulging in "quips and cranks and wanton wiles" at the table which mother does not like, as our Butlers are apt to listen to him and not fill the glasses and so on. But if my Familey slept mentaly I did not. AT ONCE I suspected William. Being still not out, and therfore not listened to with much atention, I kept my piece and said nothing. And I saw this. WILLIAM WAS NOT WHAT HE SEEMED. As soon as dinner was over I went into my father's den, where he brings home drawings and estamates, and taking his Leather Dispach case, I locked it in my closet, tying the key around my neck with a blue ribben. I then decended to the lower floor, and found Carter Brooks in the hall. "I want to talk to you," he said. "Have you young Turks--I mean young Patriots any guns at this camp of yours?" "Not yet." "But you expect to, of course?" I looked at him in a steady manner. "When you have put on the Unaform of your Country" I said, "or at least of Plattsburg, I shall tell you my Milatary secrets, and not before." "Plattsburg!" he exclaimed. "What do you know of Plattsburg?" I then told him, and he listened, but in a very disagreeable way. And at last he said: "The plain truth, Bab, is that some good-looking chap has filled you up with a lot of dope which is meant for men, not romantic girls. I'll bet to cents that if a fellow with a broken noze or a squint had told you, you'd have forgotten it the next minute." I was exasparated. Because I am tired of being told that the defence of our Dear Country is a masculine matter. "Carter" I said, "I do not beleive in the double, standard, and never did." "The what?" "The double standard," I said with dignaty. "It was all well and good when war meant wearing a kitchin stove and wielding a lance. It is no longer so. And I will show you." I did not mean to be boastfull, such not being my nature. But I did not feel that one who had not yet enlisted, remarking that there was time enough when the Enemy came over, etcetera, had any right to criticise me.
It is midnight. Leila is still out, bent on frivolaty. The rest of the Familey sleeps quietly, except father, who has taken cold and is breathing through his mouth, and I sit here alone, with my secret. William is a Spy. I have the proofs. How my hand trembles as I set down the terrable words. I discovered it thus. Feeling somewhat emty at bed time and never sleeping well when hollow inside, I went down to the pantrey at eleven P. M. to see if any of the dinner puding had been left, although not hopeful, owing to the servants mostly finishing the desert. WILLIAM WAS IN THE PANTREY. He was writing somthing, and he tried to hide it when I entered. Being in my ROBE DE NUIT I closed the door and said through it: "Please go away, William. Because I want to come in, unless all the puding is gone." I could hear him moving around, as though concealing somthing. "There is no puding, miss," he said. "And no fruit except for breakfast. Your mother is very particuler that no one take the breakfast fruit." "William," I said sternly, "go out by the kitchen door. Because I am hungry, and I am coming in for SOMTHING." He was opening and closing the pantrey drawers, and although young, and not a housekeeper, I knew that he was not looking in them for edables. "If you'll go up to your room, Miss Bab," he said, "I'll mix you an Eggnogg, without alkohol, of course, and bring it up. An Eggnogg is a good thing to stay the stomache with at night. I frequently resort to one myself." I saw that he would not let me in, so I agreed to the Eggnogg, but without nutmeg, and went away. My knees tremble to think that into our peacefull home had come "Grim-vizaged War," but I felt keen and capable of dealing with anything, even a Spy. William brought up the Eggnogg, with a dash of sherry in it, and I could hear him going up the stairs to his chamber. I drank the Eggnogg, feeling that I would need all my strength for what was to come, and then went down to the pantrey. It was in perfect order, except that one of the tea towles had had a pen wiped on it. I then went through the drawers one by one, although not hopeful, because he probably had the incrimanating document in the heal of his shoe, which Spies usually have made hollow for the purpose, or sowed in the lining of his coat. At least, so I feared. But it was not so. Under one of the best table cloths I found it. Yes. I FOUND IT. I copy it here in my journal, although knowing nothing of what it means. Is it a scheme to blow up my father's mill, where he is making shells for the defence of his Native Land? I do not know. With shaking hands I put it down as follows:
But in one way its meaning is clear. Treachery is abroad and Treason has but just stocked up the stairs to its Chamber.
There are but nine of us, as I telephoned the Quartermaster early this morning and summoned her to come over and discuss important business. Her Unaform had come and so had mine. What a thrill I felt as she entered Headquarters (my chamber) in kakhi and saluted. She was about to sit down, but I reminded her that war knows no intimacies, and that I was her Captain. She therfore stood, and I handed her William's code. She read it and said: "What is it?" "That is what the G. A. C. is to find out," I said. "It is a cipher." "It looks like it," said Jane in a flutering tone. "Oh, Bab, what are we to do?" I then explained how I had discovered it and so on. "Our first duty," I went on, "is to watch William. He must be followed and his every movement recorded. I need not tell you that our mill is making shells, and that the fate of the Country may hang on you today." "On me?" said Jane, looking terrafied. "On you. I have selected you for this first day. To-morrow it will be another. I have not yet decided which. You must remain secreted here, but watching. If he goes out, follow him." I was again obliged to remind her of my rank and so on, as she sat down and began to object at once. "The Familey," I said, "will be out all day at First Aid classes. You will be safe from discovery." Here I am sorry to say Jane disapointed me, for she observed, bitterly: "No luncheon, I suppose!" "Not at all," I said. "It is a part of the Plattsburg idea that a good soldier must have nourishment, as his strength is all he has, the Officers providing the brains." I then rang for Hannah, and ofered her to dollars to bring Jane a tray at noon and to sneak it from the kitchin, not the pantrey. "From the kitchin?" she said. "Miss Bab, it's as much as my life is worth to go to the kitchin. The cook and that new Butler are fighting something awfull." Jane and I exchanged glances. "Hannah," I said, in a low tone, "I can only say this. If you but do your part you may avert a great calamaty." "My God, Miss Bab!" she cried. "That cook's a German. I said so from the beginning." "Not the cook, Hannah." We were all silent. It was a terrable moment. I shortly afterwards left the house, leaving Jane to study flag signals, or wig-waging as vulgarly called, and TO WATCH.
We were trying to load one of Betty's uncle's guns when my Orderley reported a car coming at a furious gate. On going to the opening of the tent I saw that it was our car with father and Jane inside. They did not stop in the road, but turned and came into the field, bumping awfully. Father leaped out and exclaimed: "Well!" He then folded his arms and looked around. "Upon my word, Bab!" he said. "You might at least take your Familey into your confidence. If Jane had not happened to be at the house I'd never have found you. But never mind about that now. Have you or have you not seen my leather Dispach Case?" Alas, my face betrayed me, being one that flushes easily and then turns pale. "I thought so," he said, in an angry voice. "Do you know that you have kept a Board of Directors sitting for three hours, and that--Bab, you are hopeless! Where is it?" How great was my humiliation, although done with the Highest Motives, to have my Corps standing around and listening. Also watching while I drew out the rihben and the key. "I hid it in my closet, father," I said. "Great thunder!" he said. "And we have called in the Secret Service!" He then turned on his heal and stocked away, only stopping to stare at Mademoiselle in the car, and then driving as fast as possable back to the mill. As he had forgotten Jane, she was obliged to stay. It was by now raining, and the Corps wanted to go home. But I made a speach, saying that if we weakened now what would we do in times of Real Danger? "What are a few drops of rain?" I inquired, "to the falling of bullets and perhaps shells? We will now have the class in bandageing." The Corps drew lots as to who would be bandaged, there being no volunteers, as it was cold and necesary to remove Unaform etcetera. Elaine got number seven. The others then practiced on her, having a book to go by. I here add to this log Jane's report on William. He had cleaned silver until 1 P. M., when he had gone back to the kitchin and moved off the soup kettle to boil some dish towles. The cook had then set his dish towles out in the yard and upset the pan, pretending that a dog had done so. Hannah had told Jane about it. At 1:45 William had gone out, remarking that he was going to the drug store to get some poizon for the cook. Jane had followed him and HE HAD REALLY MAILED A LETTER. _ |
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