"UNDER TWO FLAGS"
ON an afternoon in summer nearly a year later, two flags might be seen
flying from the towers of Kent House.
Over the English meadows the wind blew softly, but strongly enough to
whip the flags out straight so that from some distance one could see the
British Lion and the Stars and Stripes.
Since Olive's engagement to Captain MacDonnell, the United States had
entered the war and was now one of the great Allies.
Inside Kent House there was a peculiar atmosphere of excitement and
expectancy.
The house was filled with flowers from the big garden, a profusion of
roses and the simpler flowers for which England is famous, wall flowers,
daisies, sweet-peas and canterbury bells, named in honor of the great
Cathedral at Canterbury.
In the dining room, which opened just back of the library, the table was
already laid for dinner.
Evidently there was to be a gala occasion, and yet this was unusual, for
since the war began there had been few entertainments at Kent House or
in any great English home.
Nevertheless Lady Kent herself presently came into the dining room and
looked with the deepest interest at the beautiful table, touching things
here and there and making slight alterations in the arrangement of the
flowers.
The table was in white except for a stripe of rose-colored satin through
the center and a bowl of pink roses.
Jack had on a house dress of some soft white material, as she was not
wearing mourning and had not worn it after Vive's death. There was too
much black being used in the world.
She was standing still for a moment, frowning slightly, but with
interest, not dissatisfaction, when another person entered and came up
beside her.
"I have been taking a long walk, Jack, trying to get rid of my
restlessness and to make the time pass more swiftly. I wish you had been
with me. But how beautiful your place is! I don't see how you have
managed to keep things in such splendid condition with so many of your
men at the front. I have been talking to some real English dairymaids
down in the left paddock. They made me think of the stories and nursery
rhymes we used to read when we were children. Then England seemed as far
away from the old Wyoming ranch as the planet Mars. However, I am the
last one of the Ranch Girls to visit you in England. Ralph's work has
made our coming to you impossible before and now the war has brought us
to this side of the world, for how long none of us can say. Have you
heard anything from Frieda?"
Lady Kent shook her head slowly.
She was watching Jean and at the same time thinking how pretty and
untroubled she looked. Jean's marriage to Ralph Merritt seemed to have
turned out an unqualified success. Ralph had come to be known as a
leading American engineer, but now had given up all the other work he
had been engaged in to offer his services as an engineer to France. And
Jean had left her little girl at home with Jim and Ruth at the Rainbow
Ranch so that she could be nearer her husband.
"I wish Frieda had not gone to London today. Suppose something happens
and she is not back in time for our dinner! Then everything will be
disarranged. We cannot have our dinner party tomorrow, for by that time
we will have separated again. Tomorrows are uncertain quantities these
days, aren't they?" And Jean's expression changed for an instant.
But Jack answered her quickly. This was to be Ralph Merritt's last night
in England for an indefinite time, as he was leaving for France the next
day, while Jean was to remain with Lord and Lady Kent.
"Oh, Frieda will be here on time; I don't think we need worry. You see,
she is to go to his office and get hold of the Professor, else, Frieda
says, if he chances to be especially interested in his work, he will
forget all about our plan, and of course to have one of the eight of us
missing tonight would ruin everything." Again Jack glanced about her
dinner table, which was laid for eight covers. "Still, I think Frieda
does Henry an injustice, for, in spite of the absorbing scientific work
he is doing, he is far less absent-minded than he used to be. And I
never saw a more attentive husband. Since Frieda's baby came I believe
he regards her as more wonderful than ever."
As she finished speaking Jack laughed and Jean slipped her arm about her
as they walked out of the dining room. Jean was thinking of another
baby, who had gone away before the new one came and of Jack's
inexhaustible courage. They had not realized in the old Rainbow Ranch
days that she had so much spiritual as well as physical courage.
"Well, I am glad Frieda has your old nurse for her baby, Jack, and is
living here with you, for I cannot take her seriously as a mother, never
having been able to realize thoroughly that she is properly and sedately
married. However, we at least have our guests of honor safe."
Lady Kent nodded in response.
"Yes, I have just seen Olive. She and Bryan are both resting, so as to
get the most out of their wedding dinner tonight. It was wise of them to
come up so early from London this morning. I declare, Jean, it is one of
the most beautiful things that ever happened for Olive and Bryan to have
married.
"Just from a selfish standpoint you can't imagine what it will mean to
have Olive living so near me. I have so missed my family!"
Smiling Jean shook her brown head thoughtfully.
"At present there is not much danger of your missing your family for
some time to come, dear. You and Frank will probably grow exceedingly
tired of them. Now I must go upstairs to rest for a while myself. I
don't wish to have Ralph decide tonight that he is the least fortunate
of the four husbands."
Jean Merritt went on ahead, Jack seeing her disappear, and then stopping
for a moment to speak to her butler.
Although it was to be only a family party tonight, she was taking far
more interest in the arrangements for her dinner than she had ever been
known to do before for the most formal occasions.
But then this dinner was to be unusual, since it was the first time the
four old-time Ranch Girls had ever been her own and her husband's guests
at Kent House. Moreover, their husbands were also with them, even Olive
and Captain MacDonnell, who had been married only a few weeks.
Nearly a year had passed since Olive's and Captain MacDonnell's
engagement, although the wedding had not taken place until the present
summer. The scene of the marriage was the Rainbow Ranch, with only Jim
and Ruth, their children, and a few friends present, since the rest of
the family were in Europe. But immediately after the ceremony Olive and
Bryan had decided to risk the dangers of sailing for home and had landed
safely in England only the day before.
Having spent the night in London, they had come directly to Kent House,
knowing that Jack planned a family party in their honor.
A good many months before, Frieda and her Professor had arrived at Kent
House, so that Frieda's baby might be born with Frieda in her sister's
care. Moreover, the Professor was working harder than ever, since his
own country had entered the war, to accomplish certain scientific
discoveries which should counteract the German terrorism.
A little more than an hour later Lady Kent was slowly getting ready for
dinner. She wished to be dressed first and downstairs ready to receive
her family.
Nevertheless she was frowning and looking slightly disturbed.
She had left word that she was to be informed as soon as her sister,
Mrs. Russell, returned from London. In the meantime she knew a train
had arrived from town, yet no word came to her.
Jack was about to ring the bell and find out if her order had been
forgotten, when a light knock came at the door and her husband entered.
"I came out early, Jack, dear, in order to do honor to your party and I
managed to corral the two other husbands, Ralph and the Professor, so
there need be no delay. It is good to be at home now and then."
Frank had looked a little tired, but his face cleared at the sight of
his wife. Jack was very beautiful in a white evening gown. The frock was
not new, since she was buying nothing of the kind during the war, but it
was the handsomest one she owned and the most becoming. She had planned
with Jean and Frieda that they were to look as well as possible, since
the dinner was to be one they would never forget. Moreover, Olive was a
bride and they must also do her honor.
Since the change in government Frank Kent had been made a member of the
War Cabinet and devoted most of his time to the great intellectual
labors it demanded of him. Frequently it was impossible for him to
return more than two or three times a week to Kent House.
As Jack kissed her husband her expression lightened.
"I would like to give a dinner party every night, Frank, if I thought it
would bring you home. Are things going well?"
Then, as Frank nodded his head gravely (he and Jack did not often
discuss details of his work, since government secrets were not to be
mentioned even with her), she added, with a little sigh partly of relief
and partly vexation:
"Well, thank goodness you got hold of Frieda! Jean has been worrying for
fear Frieda would get lost in London and not come back in time. Years
ago, when we first came to Europe, Frieda had a tiresome fashion of
disappearing and getting us all into a dreadful state of mind for fear
she might be permanently lost. Then she usually turned up quite blandly
with some agreeable person who had discovered her."
"But, Jack dear," Frank interrupted, as soon as his wife gave him the
opportunity, "Frieda did not come home with us. Indeed, neither the
Professor nor I had any idea except that she was with you."
Jack changed color.
"Oh, dear, I do wish Frieda would come in! What do you suppose could
have happened to her, Frank? She only went into London to attend to some
mysterious errand which she insisted was very important. I know she
would not have stayed so late unless something unavoidable had kept her.
Besides our party, she has never been away from her baby so long."
Man-like, Frank did not appear particularly agitated.
"Oh, Frieda will turn up all right. The good fates have her in charge."
Then he disappeared to begin his own toilet.
Finishing her toilet as quickly as possible, Jack hurried downstairs.
There was no train now from London until after eight o'clock and dinner
had been ordered for half-past seven.
In the hall Jack discovered her Professor brother-in-law wandering
disconsolately about. He wore a mystified and slightly harassed air.
"Do you know, Jack, I am unable for some reason to find Frieda. She is
not in her bedroom and not in the nursery. Nurse is unable to give me
any information concerning her, save that she left early in the day for
London. Curious that she did not telephone me. Will you please find her
for me? She gave me certain instructions about dressing for dinner
tonight, which, as a matter of fact, I have forgotten. Am I to wear an
evening or a dinner coat?"
The distinguished Professor looked so uncertain and so uncomfortable
that Jack laughed in spite of her own anxiety and annoyance. However,
she hated to confide Frieda's disappearance to her husband, knowing he
would be frightened about her.
She was hesitating as to what to reply when there was a sudden noise at
the front door. Opening it, an excited and somewhat disheveled Frieda
Russell rushed in and up to her husband.
"Oh, Henry dear, do let me have two pounds, won't you, at once. I know
it is dreadful to be so extravagant, but so many things have happened to
me! I had to wait and wait for the things I just had to have for tonight
and then I missed the last train. I wasn't going to spoil our dinner
party and so I took a taxi the entire way out from London. I know the
cabby is robbing me, but he did come very fast and I haven't a great
deal of my own money left."
The Professor shook his head, not fully understanding all that Frieda
was saying so hurriedly. But he produced the two pounds and went out to
settle with his wife's cabman, while Frieda rushed upstairs, calling
down over the balustrade:
"How is my adored baby, Jack? I have nearly died being separated from
her such hours! Don't worry, I'll be ready in time for dinner."
Not long after, Frank and Jack were in their library waiting for their
guests to appear.
Olive and Captain MacDonnell slipped in quietly before the others.
Olive was wearing her wedding gown. But as the affair had been a quiet
one, owing to the war and to Captain MacDonnell's injury, it was a
simple dress of white silk and chiffon.
Except for her husband's wedding gift, a brooch of emeralds and diamonds
in the form of a shamrock, she wore no jewels.
Captain MacDonnell was still lame, would probably always remain so.
Nevertheless Jack and Frank thought they had never seen their old friend
looking better or handsomer. Olive's shyness, her seriousness, seemed
just the spur his Irish wit and gayety needed.
"I do hope, Bryan, you and Olive are going to stay on at home for a time
now you are safely here," Lord Kent remarked, stretching himself lazily
in a great arm chair and glancing with an admiration he made no effort
to conceal from his wife to Olive. "Jack more or less needs some one to
look after her, since I am giving so much time to my war work I am
having to neglect my family."
Olive flushed slightly. She knew Frank had not intended it, could not
dream how sensitive Captain MacDonnell was over the thought that he
could no longer be of service to his country at a time when she so
required the knowledge and effort he had once been so gallantly ready
and able to give.
"Oh, I shall be at home the greater part of the time, and Bryan whenever
it is possible for him," Olive answered quickly. "But Bryan has already
promised to begin _camouflage_ work for the government within the next
few days. We were not in London very long, but were there long enough to
see a few of Bryan's old friends. They asked him if he would not have
his commission transferred to the camouflage corps, as they needed him
at once. I suppose he will be able to do some of the painting here in
England. But later Bryan will probably have to go over to France to find
out what is required of him."
"Bully, Bryan! I had not thought of that," Lord Kent answered, appearing
as tremendously gratified as if he himself had first conceived the idea
of this work for his friend. He went on to explain to his mystified
hearers that _camouflage_ consisted of painted artificial scenery used
to conceal artillery or other important positions from the enemy
airplanes, and that Bryan was especially fitted to engage in this work
on account of his military knowledge and artistic ability.
But at this moment Jean and Ralph Merritt joined the little group.
No one spoke of Frieda's being the last to appear, since this had always
been her custom so long as the other Ranch Girls could recall.
Jean Merritt wore her favorite rose color, a dress of satin with an
overdress of tulle. And in spite of all the flowers blooming in Kent
garden, Ralph had not forgotten to bring her a box from London of the
deep pink roses she had always loved.
However, before dinner was announced the Professor strolled placidly in,
garbed in entirely proper evening clothes.
"Frieda says if you will be kind enough to wait dinner for her a few
moments, she will be with you almost at once. There was some little
errand, some little commission she still wished to attend to before we
leave the library."
The Professor sat quietly down, asked Frank Kent an important question
concerning the war and straightway fell into earnest conversation.
However Frieda did make her appearance within a short time. She was
dainty and lovely as ever in a misty, pale blue gown, but, unlike her
usual self, she seemed a little embarrassed and apologetic.
The four Ranch Girls and their husbands went into dinner together.
Perhaps it was absurd that they should feel any especial emotion over so
simple a matter as having their first dinner party with one another
since their marriages.
Nevertheless it was true that each girl in her own fashion did feel this
emotion.
Since Jack's and Jean's few moments in the dining room some hours
before, a slight change had taken place in the decoration of the table.
Two little silk flags stood near the center; as a matter of course
under the present circumstances, they were the American and the British
emblems.
Lord Kent saluted before he sat down, nodding to Captain MacDonnell.
"To our international marriages!" he said. "Long may they wave!"
Then he turned to Frieda and Jean, the Professor and Ralph.
"And to our great American Ally!"
As the little party took their seats they observed a small white velvet
box near each plate.
Jack opened hers first and discovered inside a tiny pair of crossed
flags set with jewels.
Glancing toward her husband, Lady Kent discovered that he appeared as
surprised as she was at the unexpected souvenir of their dinner.
Then she chanced to catch sight of Frieda and Frieda's self-conscious
expression betrayed her. Moreover, her mission to London was explained.
"I move," announced the Professor gravely, "that we offer a toast first
to our wives and then to that beautiful and enduring land which has ever
made the appeal of a woman to her lovers the world over. I mean, of
course, 'La belle France'."
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired. Text sometimes capitalizes Ranch
with Rainbow Ranch and sometimes does not. This was retained.
Page 27, "anenomes" changed to "anemones" (primroses and anemones)
Page 30, "soceity" changed to "society" (much for society)
Page 50, "unchangable" changed to "unchangeable" (the most unchangeable)
Page 61, "personall" changed to "personal" (her own personal)
Page 64, "hundreth" changed to "hundredth" (hundredth time, that her)
Page 77, "graciousnesss" changed to "graciousness" (graciousness about
him)
Page 133, "prsented" changed to "presented" (then presented her)
Page 157, "every" changed to "ever" (no one ever pays)
Page 179, "uncertainity" changed to "uncertainty" (amount of
uncertainty)
Page 189, word "of" added to text (either side of the old)
Page 191, "every" changed to "ever" (who have ever really)
Page 214, "whispering" changed to "whispered" (whispered something in
her)
Page 221, "persuded" changed to "persuaded" (MacDonnell finally
persuaded)