Part 8 (1/2)

[Ill.u.s.tration: MODERN BRUSSELS IS WELL LAID OUT WITH MANY WIDE AVENUES]

The Englishman remarked, ”That is a hard life. It is much better to travel in a motor car.” Then he smiled pleasantly and continued, ”That is the way we travel. We are leaving for Antwerp tomorrow in our car.”

Philippe's eyes shone. Here were more traveling folks. It seemed to the boy that everyone in the world was traveling except himself.

And while Philippe was thus thinking, the gentlemen were talking together in English.

Suddenly the Englishman turned to Philippe and asked, ”How would you like to come along with us to Antwerp? You would make an excellent guide, since you know so much about the country.”

Philippe's heart almost stopped beating.

”Oh, sir,” he breathed, ”that is very good of you.” Then he hesitated.

”But my father would not let me go.”

”Where is your father?” asked the gentleman.

”At the restaurant where we lunched, sir. He is in the kitchen,” replied Philippe.

”Very well; let us go and see him,” suggested the Englishman.

Philippe led the gentlemen back to the restaurant. They followed him into the big kitchen.

There Philippe began to introduce them to Papa Pomme.

But the Englishman and Papa Pomme stared at one another and then they both cried out together, ”Well, well, well!”

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”WELL, WELL, WELL”]

Philippe was surprised to see that Papa Pomme and this English gentleman already knew each other. They were very happy to meet again.

Papa Pomme turned to Philippe and said, ”My boy, here you see a war-time friend of your father's. We were soldiers together in the World War.

This gentleman was a great hero!”

The Englishman interrupted, ”Oh, no, no, my friend, not so great a hero as you.”

Then he looked at Papa Pomme's wooden leg and they both grew serious.

”But come! We have something to ask you,” the gentleman suddenly observed. ”My friend and I are going to Antwerp tomorrow. Will you allow your son to go along? We promise to take good care of him, and I'm sure he'll take splendid care of us. For you know, he has guided us through Brussels all day.”

Papa Pomme fairly beamed with pride.

Then he said, ”It is very kind of you, and I am delighted to have my Philippe go along with you. He has wanted so much to travel. Eh, little Philippe?”

And he pulled the boy's hair playfully.

”Oh, yes, Papa,” joyfully agreed Philippe.