spot. This proved a signal for mutual introductions, and the girls learned
that their new friend was a college professor, Arnold Dempsey by name.
They also learned that he had taken up woodcraft in the hope of recovering
his health.

And while they contentedly munched sandwiches and sipped steaming coffee
the girls learned a good deal more about Arnold Dempsey, and the more they
learned of him the more they felt drawn to him.

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