Page:Ruth of the U.S.A. (IA ruthofusa00balm).pdf/203

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"HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN"
185

all that Cynthia had without any emotion at all. Agnes would have told it quite differently, of course.

They were coming in sight of a flying field. "Let me off here, please," Gerry asked when they were opposite it.

When Ruth stopped the car Gerry called for one of the old Frenchmen to give him a shoulder and he stepped down. "You don't need much leg muscle to fly," he assured Ruth when she observed him anxiously. "If I can't steal a ship over there, at least they'll take care of me." He hesitated, looking up at her, unable simply to thank her for what she had done.

"Where are you going?" he asked. During their drive they had discussed various destinations for their party; but could decide upon none. The final halting place must depend upon the military situation, and nothing was more unsettled than that. But Gerry was not referring now to the halting place of the whole party; he knew that during the last minutes she had formed determinations which would take her as soon as possible to her other tasks; and she accepted that in her answer.

"I'm going to Montdidier—unless it seems better to make for Amiens; then to Paris as soon as I can."

"I see." He gazed away and up in the air where machines with the tri-color circle of the allies were flying; and hastily he offered Ruth his hand. "Good-bye, Cynthia," he said.

"Good-bye, Gerry."

"Cynthia, when you're in Paris you'll stay there?"

"I don't know."

"If you do, where'll you be?"