Page:Cornelia Meigs--The island of Appledore.djvu/185

Rh Navy. It’s going pretty briskly, too, I hear; they have almost the authorized number now,  so they will close the place in a few days. I’m glad our town has done so well.”

Billy walked on down to the corner where the stage was to start. He did not yet feel that the war was real; why, it couldn't be real on a  bright, gay, spring morning, with the church  bells ringing for Good Friday services, and  everything looking just the same as it always  did. It was time for the stage to go, but the driver was telling a good story to some friends  and could not be bothered to hurry himself for  the three passengers who were waiting. The boy bounced about impatiently on the narrow  seat and thought that the “I says” and “he  says” and “then I just told him” would never  come to an end.

They started at last, and a long, bumpy, weary ride it proved to be. The woods on each side of them were green and full of flowers, the little brooks below the bridges were  brimming full with the spring rains, the birds  were all singing their best songs, but Billy saw  only the road before them and heard nothing  but the squeaking of the wheels and the creaking of the clumsy old stage. It seemed as