Hilda's." They seemed, indeed, to represent all that was lovely in
Emily, her refinement, her firmness, her gentle spirit.

"Bruce," she said--she rarely called him that--"your dear wife would
never have loved you if you hadn't been worthy of love."

"I need her--to hold me to my best."

"Hold yourself to it, Bruce--" She stood up. "I must go to bed, and
so must you. We have busy days before us."

He spoke impulsively. "You are a good woman, Emily--there's no one in
the world that I would trust to stay with Jean but you."

She smiled a little wistfully as she went upstairs. She had perhaps
comforted him, but she had left unsaid the words she should have
spoken. "You must not take Hilda with you. If you take her with you,
will your Jean be proud of her Daddy in France?"




CHAPTER XI

HILDA WEARS A CROWN

At two o'clock on Thanksgiving morning the light burned low in the
General's room. Hilda, wide awake, was reading. Derry stopped at the
door.