Part 22 (1/2)

”If that machine was Pete's,” Father Bob mused, ”Hun aviators may drop word of him within our lines. They have done that kind of thing before.”

”Wouldn't Bob cable, if he knew anything more than this letter says?”

Gertrude questioned.

”I expect Bob's waiting to find out something certain before he cables,” said Father Bob. ”Doubtless he has written. We shall just have to wait for his letter.”

”Wait! Gee!” whispered Henry.

”Both the boys' letters were so awfully late, in the summer!” sighed Gertrude. ”However can we wait for a letter from Bob?”

Elliott said nothing at all. Her heart was aching with sympathy for Bruce. When a person could do something, she thought, it helped tremendously. Mother Jess and Laura had gone to Sidney and she had had a chance to make Laura's going possible, but there didn't seem to be anything she could do for Bruce. And she wished to do something for Bruce; she found that she wished to tremendously. Thinking about Mother Jess and Laura reminded her to look up and ask, ”What _are_ we going to write them at Camp Devens?”

Then she discovered that she and Bruce were alone in the room. He was sitting at Mother Jess's desk, in as deep a brown study as she had been. The girl's voice roused him.

”The kind of thing we've been writing--home news. Time enough to tell them about Pete when they get here. By that time, perhaps, there will be something definite to tell.” He hesitated a minute. ”Laura is going to feel pretty well cut up over this.”

Elliott looked up quickly. ”Especially cut up?”

”I think so. Oh, there wasn't anything definite between her and Pete--nothing, at least, that they told the rest of us. But a fellow who had eyes--” He left the sentence unfinished and walked over to Elliott's chair. ”You know, I told you,” he said, ”that I shouldn't go into this war unless I was called. Of course I'm registered now, but whether or not they call me--if Pete is out of it--and I can possibly manage it, I'm going in.”

A queer little pain contracted Elliott's heart. And then that odd heart of hers began to swell and swell until she thought it would burst. She looked at the boy, with proud eyes. It didn't occur to her to wonder what she was proud of. Bruce Fearing was no kin of hers, you know.

”I knew you would.” Somehow it seemed to the girl that she could always tell what Bruce Fearing was going to do, and that there was nothing strange in such knowledge. How strong he was! how splendid and understanding and fine! ”Oh,” she cried, ”I wish, _how_ I wish I could help you!”

”You do help me,” he said.

”I?” Her eyes lifted in real surprise. ”How can I?”

”By being you.”

His hand had only to move an inch to touch hers, but it lay motionless. His eyes, gray and steady and clear, held the girl's. She gave him back look for look.

”I am glad,” she said softly and her face was like a flower.

Bruce was out of the house before Elliott thought of the thing she could do for him.

”Mercy me!” she cried. ”You're the slowest person I've ever seen in my life, Elliott Cameron!” She ran to the kitchen door, but the boy was nowhere in sight. ”He must be out at the barn,” she said and took a step in that direction, only to take it back. ”No, I won't. I'll just go by myself _and do it_.”

Whatever it was, it put her in a great hurry. As fast as she had dashed to the kitchen she now ran to the front hall, but the third step of the stairs halted her.

”Elliott Cameron,” she declared earnestly, ”I do believe you have lost your mind! Haven't you any sense _at all_? And you a responsible housekeeper!”

Perhaps it wasn't the first time a whirlwind had ever struck the Cameron farmhouse. Elliott hadn't a notion that she could work so fast. Her feet fairly flew. Bed-covers whisked into place; dusting-cloths raced over furniture; even milk-pans moved with unwonted celerity. But she left them clean, clean and s.h.i.+ning.

”There!” said the girl, ”now we shall do well enough till dinner-time.

I'm going into the village. Anybody want to come?”

Priscilla jumped up. ”I do, unless Trudy wants to more.”

Gertrude shook her head. ”I'm going to put up tomatoes,” she said, ”the rest of the ripe ones.”