Page:Good Sports (1919).djvu/243

234 "Don't die," I said.

I was not good!

My name is Esther. My mother used to say it meant all things clean and pure and white.

Too bad. Until I sewed for the French soldiers I never knew what longings were.

I am thirty-three.

I left my bundle at headquarters. I took out no more work, though they asked me to.

I went back to my lonely house upon the hill with heavy steps, with heavier heart.

And no one in all that little humdrum town, spread over peaceful hills, a wide sea away from wars,

Guessed that in their midst there lay awake that night, restless, alert,

A war-bride!

I put my name and address inside the pink Canton-flannel pocket.

Many of the women do that.

I didn't expect an answer.

And when it came last week, three months after I had left my bundle at headquarters, I wasn't prepared.

My cheeks flamed hot before the mailman,