And when he started to tell them of his two sons who had fought so
nobly in the army of democracy, their eyes began to shine and they
leaned toward him with an interest that was intensely real.

"Oh, it must be wonderful to have two big soldier sons," cried Amy,
forgetting her shyness in her enthusiasm. "Aren't you dreadfully
proud?"

A gleam came into Professor Dempsey's eyes and his thin shoulders
straightened.

"Yes, yes," he said. "Of course I'm proud of my boys-- very proud. And
I hope," a look of absolute happiness came into his eyes and he smiled
contentedly, "that before very long I shall see them."

"Oh, I'm sure you will!" cried Betty eagerly.

"That's what we are all hoping for, anyway," said Grace, adding with a
sigh: "The boys have been gone so dreadfully long."

"Look," cried Mollie presently, rising suddenly to her feet and
pointing toward the window. "We have been so busy talking that we
never noticed the sun had come out."

"And doesn't it look good!" exulted Betty.

In spite of their reluctance to leave their newfound friend, the girls
were anxious to be off, for they knew their parents would be worrying
about them.