The Major repeated the command.

“But I can’t speak French,” she said in dismay.  “What is it in English?”

“Hero can’t understand anything in English,” said the Major, laughing at the perplexed expression that crept into the Little Colonel’s face.

“How funny!” she exclaimed.  “I nevah thought of that befo’.  I supposed of co’se that all animals were English.  Anyway, Hero comes when I call him, and wags his tail when I speak, just as if he undahstands every word.”

“It is the kindness in your voice he understands, and the smile in your eyes, the affection in your caress.  That language is the same the world over, to men and animals alike.  But he never would start out to hunt the wounded soldiers unless you gave this command.  Let me hear if you can say it after me.”

Lloyd tripped over some of the rough sounds as she repeated the sentence, but tried it again and again until the Major cried “Bravo!  You shall have more lessons in French, dear child, until you can give the command so well that Hero shall obey you as he does me.”

Then he began talking of Christine, her fair hair, her blue eyes, her playful ways; and Lloyd, listening, drew him on with many questions, till the little French maiden seemed to stand pictured before her, her hands filled with the lovely spring flowers of the motherland.

Suddenly the Major arose, bowing courteously, for Mrs. Sherman, seeing them from the doorway, had smiled and started toward them.  Springing up, Lloyd ran to meet her.

“Mothah,” she whispered, “please ask the Majah to sit at ou’ table to-night at dinnah.  He’s such a deah old man, and tells such interestin’ things, and he’s lonesome.  The tears came into his eyes when he talked about his little daughtah.  She was just my age when she died, mothah, and he thinks she looked like me.”

The Major’s courtly manner and kind face had already aroused Mrs. Sherman’s interest.  His empty sleeve reminded her of her father.  His loneliness appealed to her sympathy, and his kindness to her little daughter had won her deepest appreciation.  She turned with a cordial smile to repeat Lloyd’s invitation, which was gladly accepted.

That was the beginning of a warm friendship.  From that time he was included in their plans.  Now, in nearly all their excursions and drives, there were four in the party instead of three, and five, very often.  Whenever it was possible, Hero was with them.  He and the Little Colonel often went out together alone.  It grew to be a familiar sight in the town, the graceful fair-haired child and the big tawny St. Bernard, walking side by side along the quay.  She was not afraid to venture anywhere with such a guard.  As for Hero, he followed her as gladly as he did his master.

CHAPTER V.

THE RED CROSS OF GENEVA