mildly, "Stick to your job, son, whatever it is," and went on
covering his potatoes with empty boxes and pieces of sailcloth.
Jan paid such strict attention to the tiller after that that he
did not even forget when Father De Smet pointed out a burning
farmhouse a mile or so from the river and said grimly, "The
Germans are amusing themselves again."

For the most part, however, the countryside seemed so quiet and
peaceful that it was hard to believe that such dreadful things
were going on all about them. While Father De Smet's eyes, under
their bushy brows, kept close watch in every direction, he said
little about his fears and went on his way exactly as he had done
before the invasion.

It was quite early in the morning when they left Boom, and by ten
o'clock Joseph was tired of trudging along beside Netteke. He
hailed his father.

"May I come aboard now?" he shouted.

Father De Smet looked at Jan.

"Would you like to drive the mule awhile?" he asked.

"Oh, wouldn't I!" cried Jan.

"Have you ever driven a mule before?" Father De Smet asked again.

"Not a mule, exactly," Jail replied, "but I drove old Pier up
from the field with a load of wheat all by myself. Mother sat on