Page:Ruth of the U.S.A. (IA ruthofusa00balm).pdf/211

 "You will not," Mrs. Mayhew put in. "You can come back after supper, if you must; but you go out now. Take her with you, Gerry."

Which was a command which Gerry obeyed. So they sat together at a little table in a café, much crowded, and very noisy, and where they supped in haste; for there was a great multitude to be served. But they were very light-hearted.

"You've heard the great news about our army?" Ruth asked.

"That we're going to be under the command of General Foch like the English?"

"Better than that," Ruth said. "General Pershing has offered all our forces to the French to use in any way they wish. He's offered to break up our brigades, or even our regiments and companies, and let the French and English brigade our regiments with them, or take our men as individuals into their ranks, or use us any way they want, which will help to win. They're not to think about us—our pride—at all. They're just to take us—in any way to help."

"No," said Gerry. "I hadn't heard that."

"It's just announced," Ruth told him. "I'd just heard. He did it under the instructions and with the approval of our government. I think—I think it's the finest, most unselfish offer a nation ever made! All we have in any way that's best for the cause!"

Gerry sat back while hot rills of prickling blood tingled to his temples. "I think so, too, Cynthia," he said. And again that evening words of hers, spoken long ago, seized him. "Oh, I don't know how or when it will appear;