CHAPTER III The Retreat
"As soon as we finish breakfast I think it wiser that you girls make yourarrangements to start on toward Paris at once."
In the old kitchen of the French chateau the Camp Fire girls were seatedabout an ancient oak table, eating as quietly as if nothing had occurredto disturb them in the night.
The noise of the firing, which had interrupted Mrs. Burton's and Yvonne'sconversation, had not lasted long, and no one knew from what source ithad come, whether the Germans were making a surprise attack nearby, orthe allied troops repulsing one.
At dawn, hearing a knocking at the kitchen door, Mrs. Burton had admittedan old French peasant woman and her small grandson. At present they werehaving their breakfast of coffee and bread in a corner of the bigkitchen, having preferred not to sit at the table. With them they hadbrought the news that the Germans had endeavored to cross the river aboutten miles from the Chateau Yvonne, but had been driven back. Also theyreported that the roads were becoming constantly more crowded withrefugees, and as soon as they had a little food and rest they wished tojourney on.
Following her demand, a little to the Camp Fire guardian's surprise, nodissenting voice greeted her.
Instead Alice Ashton replied immediately:
"I entirely agree with you, Tante. The sooner all of you make the effortto reach Paris the better under the present conditions. I am afraid yourstrength will not hold out if you continue waiting much longer in thisuncertainty. You understand that I cannot go with you. I must stay hereuntil Sally arrives with Aunt Patricia, if they ever do arrive. Sally isyounger than I am and not able to take care of herself in an emergency,so that if anything happened to her I should always feel responsible. Isee now that to have allowed her to remain behind with Aunt Patricia andVera was madness, and yet no one could have anticipated the turn eventshave recently taken. Still, in coming to France during war times each oneof us understood the possibility of danger. During our work at ourfarmhouse on the Aisne we had a much quieter experience than any of usanticipated!"
Alice's speech had made an impression upon her small audience,notwithstanding, Mrs. Burton shook her head.
"Sorry I can agree with only a part of what you have just said, Alice.You _must_ go on to Paris with the other girls. I will stay on here towait for Aunt Patricia, Sally and Vera. I shall be in no especial danger,unless the fighting actually reaches this chateau, which I doubt. Butwith you girls here with me the situation would be utterly different.Never so long as I live would I wish to face a member of your families. Iknow now that I should never have brought you with me to France until thewar was actually ended! Personally I shall prefer staying on here for afew days to rest."
Mrs. Burton now turned directly to Yvonne Fleury.
"Yvonne, I have not forgotten what you told me last night, nevertheless,you must go on to Paris. Remember the other girls need you to act astheir guide, as you alone know the roads in this part of the country. Itmay be that after you have motored some of the way you may be able toboard a train, so that you will reach Paris more quickly. I don't know, Imust leave details of the journey to your judgment. Some day, MaryGilchrist, I intend writing your father what his gift of a motor to youhas meant to us here in France.
"Also I think he need no longer regret having had no son to send toFrance; no one could have accomplished more useful work than you in thesepast few months, or handled a car more successfully."
As she finished her suggestions, which she had made as casual and matterof fact as possible, Mrs. Burton half rose from the tall wooden stool,which was serving as her resting place, only to be drawn back again byPeggy Webster, who laid a firm hold on her.
"Don't talk nonsense, Tante!" Peggy remarked coolly, although not withmarked respect. "You know I would just as soon march out boldly and aloneto meet the advancing German army as to leave you here in the chateau byyourself to await Miss Patricia's coming. As a matter of fact all of usrealize she may never reach here. There is no use avoiding the truth thatthere is every possibility the road may be cut off. Besides, you speak ofthe impossibility of your facing our families if misfortune shouldovertake one of us. Please think of the situation for me if I should someday have to confess to my mother that I had left you alone and ill,utterly deserted by all of us, to meet whatever may come. You are notwell enough to be alone even under ordinary circumstances."
Peggy Webster possessed certain obstinate characteristics of her father.Many years before when they were both young, Mrs. Burton and Mr. Websterhad known each other intimately and been eternally at war.
Therefore, Mrs. Burton was secretly a little amused and a little annoyedat this moment by the firmness of Peggy's crimson lips, the singlefrowning line that appeared between her dark level brows. Moreover, sheknew that at present she had neither strength nor time for argument withher niece.
"We must either decide it is wisest for us all to leave here for Paris,or all to remain here," Bettina Graham added at this instant. "Certainly,Tante, no one of us will consider going on without you, or even leavingjust one of us here to face the situation with you. It is my opinion thatthe way to meet the present difficulty is to meet it together. Our chieftrouble now is, not so much our own danger, as our uncertainty and worryover Aunt Patricia, Vera and Sally. It seems to me our original mistakewas ever to have separated; either we should have waited with them at thefarmhouse until we could have started off together, or insisted they comehere to the chateau with us."
Not alone was Bettina Graham's opinion of influence among her group ofCamp Fire associates, ordinarily Mrs. Burton was also equally responsiveto it, Bettina possessing an unusual nature, a high sense of honor,unselfishness and above all else good breeding. And these characteristicswere not due only to her parentage and training, but to something innatein the girl herself.
Yet this instant, and in spite of Peggy's restraining hand, Mrs. Burtonmanaged to rise from her place.
The next, she stood quietly facing the group of girls, who were gazing asintently upon her. And upon each face the Camp Fire guardian read thestrongest spiritual opposition to her recent suggestion.
During the night Mrs. Burton had slept very little, she was now feelingmore exhausted than she cared to confess. Nevertheless, she faced herpresent task with the courage and calmness characteristic of her inimportant moments.
Dressing had always been something of an art with Mrs. Burton, even inthe days when as a girl, she, as Polly O'Neill, had little money tospend. Since that time Mrs. Burton had apologized for herself bydeclaring that clothes must do for her what natural beauty accomplishedfor other women. They must divert attention from her natural plainness.
But whether or not this were true, and most persons would not have agreedwith her, Mrs. Burton always dressed with exquisite care.
This morning, even under the present trying conditions, her hair was ascarefully arranged, her blue serge costume fitted with the same neatnessand simplicity. Only her face revealed her fatigue and anxiety.
Nevertheless, as she stood gazing at her group of Camp Fire girls with amixture of appeal and authority, some quality in her expression gave hera charm few persons ever possessed, a charm which had been partlyresponsible for her remarkable success as an actress. At present her eyeswere very blue and determined, her mouth revealed both strength andtenderness.
"I am sorry," she began, "perhaps you girls do not agree with me, perhapsit may be many years before you will understand what motive is back of mypresent decision. I cannot argue or explain to you now. Only by noon youmust be prepared to leave here for Paris and for me to stay behind. Iinsist upon it. In the years I have been your Camp Fire guardian I don'tthink I have often attempted to use my authority, or to follow any planwhich has not met with your approval. But today I intend doing both thosethings. I will give you all the instructions I can and a letter toSenator Georges Duval. When you reach Paris he will see that you find aproper place to live. You will wait the
re until the rest of us eitherjoin you, or let you hear what to do next. Now we have already spent toomuch time in discussion, please get ready at once!"
As she concluded there was a finality in Mrs. Burton's tones which fewpersons were ever able to disregard.
Moreover, she turned at once and left the room.
After she had gone the Camp Fire girls remained silent a moment and thenMary Gilchrist gave a despairing shrug to her shoulders.
"Well, at least I have no choice, if you girls are to go to Paris I mustgo with you to drive our motor. Yvonne, I think you are in the samesituation that I am. We shall need you to tell us about the roads.Whatever the others think wisest I am willing to do. But assuredly Idon't believe we ought to leave Mrs. Burton here alone, and just ascertainly I don't see how we are to take her with us, unless we decide todo it by force."
Peggy Webster, who, since the beginning of her aunt's speech, had satwith her eyes downcast and her cheeks flushed, now leaned forward restingher elbows on the table.
"Girls, please listen and help me," she pleaded. "It is my judgment thatthe rest of you must start for Paris, but that I must remain here. Tantewill not go with us, or change her decision. I have known her all mylife. At times she seems easily influenced, at others she is absolutelyimmovable. This is one of the times. So I must pretend that I mean toaccompany you, I must make my preparations just as the rest of you willdo, and at the last moment trust to some sudden inspiration which willallow me to stay behind. There is even the possibility that Aunt Patriciaand Sally and Vera may appear before noon, though I confess I have notmuch faith in the idea. Recently, watching for their coming, I have felta little like Sister Anne in the story of Bluebeard."
At this moment Peggy attempted to laugh, although her merriment was not aconspicuous success.
Immediately after, without questioning Peggy Webster's conclusion, theCamp Fire girls set about their preparations to join the groups ofrefugees, now retreating for the second time toward Paris.
There was not a great deal to be accomplished.
They had brought with them from their farmhouse on the Aisne only a fewessential things, and no one had completely unpacked.
Fortunately, Yvonne Fleury had stored away at her home, not onlysufficient food for their stay at the Chateau Yvonne, but enough to takewith them whatever was required for the journey to Paris.
For two hours the girls worked industriously, Mrs. Burton assisting themin every possible way and never again referring to her own intention notto accompany them.
Only once for a few moments she had a short talk with her niece.
"I know, Peggy, that these are the days when everybody offers the mostexcellent advice to everybody else, so I suppose I am no exception. Butplease promise me not to worry about me, or to think of me, until we seeeach other in Paris. Then I shall be happy to receive any attention youwish to bestow upon me. In all probability the French and American troopswill never allow the enemy to reach this neighborhood and I shall enjoythe rest here alone. But if anything occurs you are to tell my husbandand your mother that it was my usual obstinacy which forced you girls tomake this dangerous trip alone. By the way the old French peasant womanwho came in this morning has promised to stay here with me if you willtake her little grandson with you and see that no harm comes to him. Soyou see I shall be perfectly well looked after."
"Yes," Peggy answered non-committally, and went her way.
A little before noon Mary Gilchrist drove her motor car into a courtyardbehind the French chateau.
The courtyard was built of stone.
On the further side a narrow road led on to the main one, which furtheron connected with the road to Paris.
A few moments after, the five Camp Fire girls came out of the housedressed for the journey. They wore their Camp Fire traveling costumesespecially designed for their new service in France.
Mrs. Burton accompanied them, but there was nothing in her appearance ormanner to suggest that she had changed her decision and intended to go onwith them to Paris.
When four of the girls climbed into the motor, she stood nearby talkingto them. Peggy Webster was only a few feet away, making no effort toenter, and yet with her preparations for the trip as complete as any oneelse.
"This is not goodbye, girls, merely the French adieu! Really I supposeboth the farewells mean 'God be with you till we meet again.' As for me Ishall see you soon, along with Aunt Patricia, Sally and Vera. Afterwardswe shall remain in Paris until the Allies win the war. This cannot be faroff, this temporary German success is the last flare of a dying fire.Come, Peggy dear, let me help you climb in."
Mrs. Burton's manner was persistently, almost annoyingly cheerful, thoughno one of her companions responded to it in the least degree.
"I suppose you might as well know the truth now, Tante," Bettina Grahamannounced. "No one of us has ever meant to allow you to be here alone atthe chateau. We have merely decided that Peggy is your niece and so has agreater right to stay than the rest of us. Goodbye, Peggy. If we hear youand Tante are in special danger we may return to you!"
Like many another person Mrs. Burton had believed in her own triumphbefore her battle had been finally won.
Now she walked over and put her hand on Peggy Webster's shoulder.
"Come, dear, I think you understand I mean to be obeyed."
Silently two pairs of eyes gauged each other, while two wills fought forsupremacy.
But who would have conquered in the end no one was ever to find out.
At this instant there was an unexpected noise in the narrow road behindthe courtyard of the chateau.
Forgetting Peggy for the moment, Mrs. Burton ran toward the gate whichled from the courtyard into the road. For the moment she seemed to havelost courage. Few persons in the neighborhood had known of their presencein the Chateau Yvonne for the past few days.
She felt a sudden premonition of evil. Who could be appearing at thishour to interrupt the effort of the Camp Fire girls to reach Paris insafety?
Mrs. Burton stepped out into the road with Peggy Webster following closebehind her.
A cavalcade seemed to be approaching them. Yet there was nothing tosuggest danger.
Nevertheless, the spectacle they now beheld was startling even in wartimes.
A pair of heavy cart horses were moving up the road, drawing a large farmwagon.
Two cows, laden like beasts of burden and hitched to the wagon, werecoming on behind.
On the front seat of the wagon was a tall, gaunt spinster, an old man anda boy. Miss Patricia Lord was driving.
Inside the wagon, surrounded by bundles and boxes of varying sizes, weretwo girls, Sally Ashton and Vera Lagerloff.
As the wagon drew near, Miss Patricia Lord stood up and began waving along stick.
"Polly Burton, why are you and the Camp Fire girls not already on theroad toward Paris? Perhaps you have not heard the Germans are breakingthrough at different points all along the Allied line! I will give youjust five minutes to be ready to go on with us!"