tell us something definite about coming home."

So down the girls sat in the midst of dust cloths and more or less dirt to
find what the boys had written. For a moment only the crackling of paper
broke the silence. Then Grace gave a little joyful cry.

"Will says he is almost sure to be home soon--"

"And he has been made a sergeant," Amy interrupted, or rather added, her
eyes shining with pride. "Just think of that--Will, a sergeant!"

"I was just going to tell them that if you had waited a minute," said
Grace, rather crossly. There was quite a little jealousy between Grace and
Amy over Will. Grace had declared more than once that whereas she had
known her brother all her life, Amy had only known him for a couple of
years--or--or more. Grace loved her brother devotedly and once in a while
she resented Amy's place in his affections.

So now to change the subject and avert a possible quarrel, Mollie jumped
into the breach.

"Listen to this," she said. "Roy and Frank have been made corporals and
Allen--oh, look at Betty blush!" She looked gleefully across at the Little
Captain and Amy and Grace followed her glance.

Betty was not blushing, but she felt as uncomfortable as though she had
been.

"Tell us what Allen says," Mollie dared her wickedly. "Come on, honey--
dare you to."