He showed her the little lead officer with the plume, which he always
carried as a mascot in his breast-pocket, and also the two hazing
photographs which kept it company. She was delighted with them all.
"Oh! you will be a hero," she cried. "I am sure of it, and what a time
we shall have of it, you dear thing!"
With his spare time thus occupied Sam did not see much of Cleary,
who now shared another tent. One afternoon late in September he was
on the way to the gate of the hotel grounds where he was accustomed
to wait until Miss Hunter came out and joined him, when Cleary called
him aside.
"Sam," he said, "I've got something of importance to say to you. Can't
you come with me now?"
"Can't," said Sam. "Miss Hunter's waiting for me."
"Well, then, beg off to-morrow afternoon. I must have a long talk
with you."
"All right," answered Sam reluctantly. "If I must, I must, I suppose."
The next day found Sam and Cleary walking alone in the woods engaged in
deep conversation.
"Sam, what would you say to going to the war?" asked Cleary.
"I'd give anything to go!" exclaimed Sam.
"You wouldn't want to stay on account of that girl of yours?"
"No, indeed; she would be the first to want me to go."
"Then why don't you go?"
"How can I?" said Sam. "We've got three more years here. That ties us
down for that time, and by the time that's over the war will be over
too.
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