fortitude, they hurried on their way to the little house in the
Rue Charly.

Mother Meraut sighed with relief as she unlocked the door.
"Everything just as we left it," she said. "We at least shall
have one more night in our own home." Then she drew the children
into the shelter of the dear, familiar roof and locked the door
from the inside.



IV. THE RETURN OF THE FRENCH

One unhappy day followed upon another for the inhabitants of
Rheims. Each night they went to bed in terror; each morning they
rose to face new trials and dangers. Yet their spirit did not
fail. Each day the roar of guns toward the west grew fainter and
more distant, and the people knew with sinking hearts that the
Germans had driven the Armies of France farther and farther back
toward Paris. Each day the conduct of the conquerors grew more
arrogant. "Our Emperor will soon be in Paris!" they said.

On the public monuments and in the squares of the City appeared
German proclamations printed upon green paper, warning the people
of Rheims of terrible punishments which would befall them if they
in any way rebelled against the will of the victorious invaders.
It was only with great difficulty that Pierre could be dragged by
these signs. Each morning as they went to the Cathedral they had
to pass several of them, and Pierrette and her Mother soon
learned to take precautions against an outburst of rage which