Bab a Sub-Deb Part 51

Would one not think that, in these terrable times, it would be a simple matter to obtain a spot wherein to prepare for the defence of the Country? Should not the Young be encouraged to spring to the call, "To arms, to arms, ye braves!" instead of being reproved for buying a Tent with no place as yet to put it, and the Adams's governess being sent along with Elaine because we need a Chaperone?

Ye G.o.ds! A Chaperone to a Milatary Camp!

She is now sitting on one of the camp stools and embroidering a centerpeice. She brought her own lunch and Elaine's, refusing to allow her to eat the regular Milatary rations of bacon and boiled potatoes, etcetera, and not ofering a thing to us, although having brought chicken sandwitches, cake and fruit.

I shall now put down the events of the day, as although the Manual says nothing of keeping a record, I am sure it is always done. Have I not read, again and again, of the Captain's log, which is not wood, as it sounds, but is a journal or Dairy?

This morning the man at the tent store called up and asked where to send the tent. I then called a meeting in my Chamber, only to meet with bitter disapointment, as one Parent after another had refused to allow their grounds to be used. I felt sad--helpless, as our house has no grounds, except for hanging out was.h.i.+ng, etcetera.

I was very angry and tired to, having had to get up at sunrise to put out the Emblem, and father having wakened and been very nasty. So I got up and said:

"It is clear that our Families are Patriots in name only, and not in deed. Since they have abandoned us, The G. A. C. must abandon them and do as it thinks best. Between Familey and Country, I am for the Country."

Here they all cheered, and Hannah came in and said mother had a headache and to keep quiet.

I could but look around, with an eloquent gesture.

"You see, Members of the Corps," I said in a tence voice, "that things at present are intollerable. We must strike out for ourselves. Those who are willing please signafy by saying Aye."

They all said it and I then sugested that we take my car and as many as possable of the officers and go out to find a suitable spot. I then got my car and crowded into it the First and Second Lieutenants, the Sergeant and the Quartermaster, which was Jane. She had asked to be Veterinarian, being fond of dogs, but as we had no animals, I had made her Quartermaster, giving her charge of the Quarters, or Tent, etcetera.

The others followed in the Adams's limousine, taking also cooking utensils and food, although Mademoiselle was very disagreeable about the frying pan and refused to hold it.

We went first to the tent store. The man in the shop then instructed me as to how to put up the Tent, and was very kind, offering to send some one to do it. But I refused.

"One must learn to do things oneself if one is to be usefull," I said.

"It is our intention to call on no member of the Male s.e.x, but to show that we can get along without them."

"Quite right," he said. "I'm sure you can get along without us, miss, much better than we could get along without you."

Mademoiselle considered this a flirtatious speach and walked out of the shop. But I consider that it was a General Remark and not personal, and anyhow he was thirty at least, and had a married apearance.

As there was not room for the Tent and camp chairs in my car, the delivery waggon followed us, making quite a procession.

We tried several farm houses, but one and all had no Patriotism whatever and refused to let us use their terratory. It was heartrending, for where we not there to help to protect that very terratory from the enemy? But no, they cared not at all, and said they did not want papers all over the place, and so on. One woman observed that she did not object to us, but that we would probably have a lot of boys hanging around and setting fire to things with cigarettes, and anyhow if we were going to shoot it would keep the hens from laying.

Ye G.o.ds! Is this our National Spirit?

I simply stood up in the car and said:

"Madame, we intend to have no Members of the Other s.e.x. And if you put eggs above the Stars and Stripes you are nothing but a Traitor and we will keep an eye on you."

We then went on, and at last found a place where no one was living, and decided to claim it in the name of the government. We then put up the tent, although not as tight as it should have been, owing to the Adams's chauffeur not letting us have his wrench to drive the pins in with, and were ready for the day's work.

We have now had luncheon and the Quartermaster, Jane, is burning the papers and so on.

After I have finished this Log we will take up the signaling. We have decided in this way: Lining up in a row, and counting one to ten, and even numbers will study flag signals, and the odds will take up telagraphy, which is very clearly shown in the Manual.

After that we will have exercises to make us strong and elastic, and then target practise.

We have as yet no guns, but father has one he uses for duck shooting in the fall, and Betty's uncle was in Africa last year and has three, which she thinks she can secure without being noticed. We have pa.s.sed this Resolution: To have nothing to do with those of the other s.e.x who are not prepared to do their Duty.

EVENING, APRIL 12TH. I returned to my domacile in time to take in Old Glory, and also to dress for dinner, being muddy and needing a bath, as we had tried bathing in the creek at the camp while Mademoiselle was asleep in the tent, but found that there was an oil well near and the water was full of oil, which stuck to us and was very disagreeable to smell.

Carter Brooks came to dinner, and I played the National Anthem on the phonograph as we went in to the Dining Room. Mother did not like it, as the soup was getting cold, but we all stood until it was finished. I then saluted, and we sat down.

Carter Brooks sat beside me, and he gave me a long and piercing glance.

"What's the matter with you, Bab?" he said. "You were rather rude to me last night and now you've been looking through me and not at me ever since I came, and I'll bet you're feverish."

"Not at all." I said, in a cold tone. "I may be excited, because of war and my Country's Peril. But for goodness sake don't act like the Familey, which always considers that I am sick when I am merely intence."

"Intence about what?" he asked.

But can one say when one's friends are a disapointment to one? No, or at least not at the table.

The others were not listening, as father was fussing about my waking him at daylight to put out the Emblem.

"Just slide your hand this way, under the table cloth," Carter Brooks said in a low tone. "It may be only intencity, but it looks most awfully like chicken pocks or somthing."

So I did, considering that it was only Politeness, and he took it and said:

"Don't jerk! It is nice and warm and soft, but not feverish. What's that lump?"

"It's a blister," I said. And as the others were now complaining about the soup, I told him of the Corps, etcetera, thinking that perhaps it would rouse him to some patriotic feelings. But no, it did not.

"Now look here," he said, turning and frowning at me, "Aviation Corps means flying. Just remember this,--if I hear of your trying any of that nonsense I'll make it my business to see that you're locked up, young lady."

"I shall do exactly as I like, Carter" I said in a friggid manner. "I shall fly if I so desire, and you have nothing to say about it."

However, seeing that he was going to tell my father, I added:

"We shall probably not fly, as we have no machine. There are Cavalry Regiments that have no horses, aren't there? But we are but at the beginning of our Milatary existence, and no one can tell what the next day may bring forth."

"Not with you, anyhow," he said in an angry tone, and was very cold to me the rest of the dinner hour.

They talked about the war, but what a disapointment was mine! I had returned from my Inst.i.tution of Learning full of ferver, and it was a bitter moment when I heard my father observe that he felt he could be of more use to his Native Land by making sh.e.l.ls than by marching and carrying a gun, as he had once had milk-leg and was never the same since.

"Of course," said my father, "Bab thinks I am a slacker. But a sh.e.l.l is more valuable against the Germans than a milk leg, anytime."

I at that moment looked up and saw William looking at my father in a strange manner. To those who were not on the alert it might have apeared that he was trying not to smile, my father having a way of indulging in "quips and cranks and wanton wiles" at the table which mother does not like, as our Butlers are apt to listen to him and not fill the gla.s.ses and so on.

But if my Familey slept mentaly I did not. AT ONCE I suspected William.

Being still not out, and therfore not listened to with much atention, I kept my piece and said nothing. And I saw this. WILLIAM WAS NOT WHAT HE SEEMED.

As soon as dinner was over I went into my father's den, where he brings home drawings and estamates, and taking his Leather Dis.p.a.ch case, I locked it in my closet, tying the key around my neck with a blue ribben.

I then decended to the lower floor, and found Carter Brooks in the hall.