“I shall go to France,” she replied.  “I speak French, but understand little of German, although once I studied the language.”

“Are you fully resolved upon this course, Maud?” asked Mr. Merrick in a tone of regret.

“Fully decided, sir.  I am going to Washington to-morrow, to get my credentials, and then I shall take the first steamer to Europe.”

There was no use arguing with Maud Stanton when she assumed that tone.  It was neither obstinate nor defiant, yet it conveyed a quiet resolve that was unanswerable.

For a time they sat in silence, musing on the many phases of this curious project; then Beth came to Mr. Merrick’s side and asked pleadingly: 

“May I go with her, Uncle?”

“Great Scott!” he exclaimed, with a nervous jump. “You, Beth?”

“Yes, Uncle.  I so long to be of help to those poor fellows who are being so cruelly sacrificed; and I know I can soothe much suffering, if I have the opportunity.”

He stared at her, not knowing what to reply.  This quaint little man was so erratic himself, in his sudden resolves and eccentric actions, that he could scarcely quarrel with his niece for imitating an example he had frequently set.  Still, he was shrewd enough to comprehend the reckless daring of the proposition.

“Two unprotected girls in the midst of war and carnage, surrounded by foreigners, inspired to noble sacrifice through ignorance and inexperience, and hardly old enough to travel alone from Hoboken to Brooklyn!  Why, the thing’s absurd,” he said.

“Quite impractical,” added Ajo, nodding wisely.  “You’re both too pretty, my dears, to undertake such an adventure.  Why, the wounded men would all fall in love with their nurses and follow you back to America in a flock; and that might put a stop to the war for lack of men to fight it.”

“Don’t be silly, Ajo,” said Patsy, severely.  “I’ve decided to go with Maud and Beth, and you know very well that the sight of my freckled face would certainly chill any romance that might arise.”

“That’s nonsense, Patsy!”

“Then you consider me beautiful, Uncle John?”

“I mean it’s nonsense about your going with Maud and Beth.  I won’t allow it.”

“Oh, Uncle!  You know I can twine you around my little finger, if I choose.  So don’t, for goodness’ sake, start a rumpus by trying to set your will against mine.”

“Then side with me, dear.  I’m quite right, I assure you.”

“You’re always right, Nunkie, dear,” she cried, giving him a resounding smack of a kiss on his chubby cheek as she sat on the arm of his chair, “but I’m going with the girls, just the same, and you may as well make up your mind to it.”

Uncle John coughed.  He left his chair and trotted up and down the room a moment.  Then he carefully adjusted his spectacles, took a long look at Patsy’s face, and heaved a deep sigh of resignation.