by E. J. Craine
CHAPTER VI. IN PARIS
Attired in their natty uniforms of the La Fayette Escadrille, which theyhad not discarded, with the double wings showing that they were fullyqualified pilots and aviators, Jack Parmly and Tom Raymond attractedno little attention as, several hours after leaving their places on thebattle front, they arrived in Paris. They were to have a few days restbefore joining the newly formed American aviation section which, as yet,was hardly ready for active work.
"Well, they're here!" suddenly cried Tom, as he and Jack made their wayout of the station to seek a modest hotel where they might stay untiltime for them to report.
"Who? Where? I don't see 'em!" exclaimed Jack, as he crowded to the sideof his chum, murmurs from a group of French persons testifying to theesteem in which the American lads were held.
"There!" went on Tom, pointing. "See some of our doughboys! And maybethe crowds aren't glad to have 'em here! It's great, I tell you, great!"
As he spoke he pointed to several khaki-clad infantrymen, some of thefirst of the ten thousand Americans lads that were sent over to "takethe germ out of Germany." The Americans were rather at a loss, but theyseemed masters of themselves, and laughed and talked with glee as theygazed on the unfamiliar scenes. They, too, were enjoying a holidaybefore being sent on to be billeted with the French or British troops.
"Come on, let's talk to 'em!" cried Tom, enthusiastically. "It's as goodas a letter from home to see 'em!"
"I thought you meant you saw--er--Bessie and her mother," returned Jack,and there was a little disappointment in his voice.
"Oh, we'll see them soon enough, if they're still in Paris," said Tom,gazing curiously at his chum. "But they don't know we are coming here."
"Yes, they do," said Jack, quietly.
"They do? Then you must have written."
"Of course. Don't you want to see them before we get shipped off to anew sector?"
"Why, yes. Just now, though, I'm anxious to hear some good, old UnitedStates talk. Come on, let's speak to 'em. There's one bunch that seemsto be in trouble."
But the trouble was only because some of Pershing's boys--as they weregenerally called wanted to make some purchases at a candy shop and didnot know enough of the language to make their meaning clear. It was agood-natured misunderstanding, and both the French shop-keeper and hishelper and the doughboys were laughing over it.
"Hello, boys! Glad to see you! Can we help you out?" asked Tom, as heand Jack joined the group.
The infantrymen whirled about.
"Well, for the love of the Mason an' Dixon line! is there somebody heahwho can speak our talk?" cried one lad, his accent unmistakably markinghim as Southern.
"Guess we can help you out," said Jack. "We're from God's country, too,"and in an instant the were surrounded and being shaken hands with on allsides, while a perfect barrage of questions was fired at them.
Then, when the little misunderstanding at the candy shop had beenstraightened out, Tom and Jack told something of who they were,mentioning the fact that they were soon to fight directly under thestars and stripes, information which drew whoops of delight from theenthusiastic infantrymen.
"But say, friend," called out one of the new American soldiers, "can yousling enough of this lingo to lead us to a place where we can get hamand eggs? I mean a real eating place, not just a coffee stand. I'vebeen opening my mouth, champing my jaws and rubbing my stomach all day,trying to tell these folks that I'm hungry and want a square meal, andhalf the time they think I need a doctor. Lead me to a hash foundry."
"All right, come on with us!" laughed Tom. "We're going to eat, too. Iguess we can fix you up."
The two aviators had been in Paris before and they knew their way about,as well as being able to speak the language fairly well. Soon, withtheir new friends from overseas, they were seated in a quiet restaurant,where substantial food could be had in spite of war prices. And then itwas give and take, question and answer, until a group of Parisians thathad gathered about turned away shaking their heads at their inability tounderstand the strange talk. But they were well aware of the spirit ofit all, and more than one silently blessed the Americans as among thesaviors of France.
The wonderful city seemed filled with soldiers of all the Alliednations, and most conspicuous, because of recent events, were thekhaki-clad boys who were soon to fight under Pershing. Having seen thatthe little contingent they had taken under their protection got whatthey wanted, Tom and Jack, bidding them farewell, but promising to seethem again soon, went to their hotel.
And, their baggage arriving, Jack proceeded to get ready for a bath anda general furbishing. He seemed very particular.
"Going out?" asked Tom.
"Why--er--yes. Thought I'd go to call on Bessie Gleason. This is hernight off duty--hers and her mother's."
"How do you know?"
"Well--er--she said so. Want to come?"
"Nixy. Two's company and you know what three is."
"Oh, come on! Mrs. Gleason will be glad to see you."
"Well, I suppose I might," assented Tom, who, truth to tell, did notrelish spending the evening alone.
Bessie and her mother had, of late, been assigned as Red Cross workersto a hospital in the environs of Paris, and ant times they could comeinto the city for a rest. They maintained a modest apartment not farfrom the hotel where Tom and Jack had put up, and soon the two ladsfound themselves at the place where their friends lived.
"Oh, I'm so glad you both came!" exclaimed Bessie as she greeted them."We have company and--"
"Company!" exclaimed Jack, drawing back.
"Yes, the dearest, most delightful girl you ever--"
"Girl!" exclaimed Tom.
"Yes. But come on in and meet her. I'm sure you'll both fall in lovewith her."
Jack was on the point of saying something, but thought better of it,and a moment later, to the great surprise of himself and Torn, they werefacing Nellie Leroy.