easily understood, plain men, decent and God-fearing and self-respecting;
and the men of that world outside America, who were foreigners. One
might like foreigners, but they were outsiders.

So there was no self-consciousness in Sara Lee's bow and smile. Later
on Henri was to find that lack of self and sex consciousness one of the
maddening mysteries about Sara Lee. Perhaps he never quite understood
it. But always he respected it.

More conversation, in an increasing staccato. Short contributions from
the men crowded into corners. Frenzied beating of the typewriting
machines, and overhead and far away the band. There was no air in the
room. Sara Lee was to find out a great deal later on about the contempt
of the Belgians for air. She loosened Aunt Harriet's neckpiece.

So far Henri had not joined in the discussion. But now he came forward
and spoke. Also, having finished, he interpreted to Sara Lee.

"They are most grateful," he explained. "It is a--a practical idea,
mademoiselle. If you were in Belgium"--he smiled rather mirthlessly--"if
you were already in the very small part of Belgium remaining to us, we
could place you very usefully. But--the British War Office is most
careful, just now. You understand--there are reasons."

Sara Lee flushed indignantly.

"They can watch me if they want to," she said. "What trouble can I make?
I've only just landed. You--you'd have to go a good ways to find any
one who knows less than I do about the war."