After supper the whole village gathered about the stable door to hear all the news which the Meraut family had brought from the outside world.  For months they had not seen a newspaper, and there had been no visitors in Fontanelle.  And when Father Meraut had finished telling them all the story of Rheims, of the burning of the Cathedral, of the miraculous safety of the statue of Saint Jeanne, of his own escape, and the final destruction of the roof over their heads, and their flight from the city, the pressing needs of the little village and his and Grandpere’s proposed voyage were discussed, and it was very late when at last the people separated and the little village settled down for the night.

XI.  A SURPRISE

The next morning the whole village was up early, and plans were perfected for the voyage of Father Meraut and Grandpere.  A long list of necessary articles was made out, and the money for their purchase safely hidden away in their inside pockets.  They were just about to start down the road to the river, when suddenly a wonderful thing happened.  Right through the great gate of the Chateau rumbled a large motor truck with an American flag fluttering from the radiator!  It was driven by a strange young woman in a smart gray uniform.  Beside her on the driver’s seat sat an older woman dressed the same way and carrying in her hand a black medicine-case.

The girl stopped her engine, climbed down to the ground, and approached the astonished people of Fontanelle:  “Bon jour,” she said, smiling.  Then in excellent French she explained her errand.  “We are Americans,” she said, and at that name every face smiled back at her.  “We have come to help you restore your homes.  America loves and admires the French people, and since we women cannot fight with you, we wish at least to help in the reconstruction of your beautiful France.  Your government has given us permission to start our work here, and has promised help from the soldiers whose camp is near.  The money we bring from America will purchase materials, and with your labor and the help of the soldiers we shall soon see what can be done.”

For a moment after she had ceased speaking there was silence.  The people of Fontanelle were too astonished for words.  So much good fortune after all their sorrow left them stunned.  It was Pierre who first found his voice.  He took off his cap, swung it in the air and shouted, “Vive l’Amerique,” at the top of his lungs, and “Vive l’Amerique,” chorused the whole village, relieved to be able to vent their feelings in sound.

Mademoiselle laughed.  “Vive la France,” she answered, and then, turning to the truck, she cried, “Come and see what we have in our little shop on wheels.  But first let me introduce to you Dr. Miller.  She is an American doctor who has come to take care of any who may be sick.”

The Doctor had already climbed down from her high seat and was opening the back of the truck.  She smiled and shook hands with the people.  “Is there not something here you wish to buy?” she asked.  “The prices are plainly marked.”