Those who came from that church spoke of a Holy War, and were thankful that there were men in America going forth to fight the Dragon.
The two soldiers who were to dine at Dr. McKenzie's were plain young fellows from an upper county in Maryland. They were waiting somewhat awkwardly in the drawing-room when Jean arrived. She took them at once to the less formal library, left Derry with them and went upstairs to dress.
As she came into the fresh and frilly room so identified with her child life and her girl life, she stopped on the threshold.
Oh, little room, little room, the child that once lived here will never come again!
She knelt beside the bed, her face buried in her hands. No words came, but in her heart she was saying, "My beloved is mine--and I am his--"
When she went down, Dr. McKenzie was there, and Emily, and the two young soldiers had lost their awkwardness. When they found out afterwards that the young Drake who talked to them so simply and unaffectedly was DeRhymer Drake, the multi-millionaire, they refused to believe it. "He was a mighty nice chap. He didn't put on a bit of side, and the dinner was some feast."
And how could they know that Derry was envying them their cavalry yellow and their olive drab?
As for Jean, throughout the afternoon they gazed upon her as upon an enchanting vision. When they told her "Good-bye" it was the boldest who asked, with a flush on his hard cheek, if he might have a bit of the heather which she wore. "I am Scotch myself, and my mother was, and it would seem a sort of mascot."
If she hesitated for a moment it was only Derry who noticed it. And he helped her out. "It will be a proud day for the heather."
So she gave away a part of his gift, and thanked him with her eyes.
It was after the boys had gone that Derry had a talk alone with Dr. McKenzie.
The Doctor threw up his hands. "Oh, lad, lad, there's all the wonder of it in her eyes when she looks at you."
When Derry went at last to find Jean, she was not in the library. He crossed the hall to the little drawing-room. His love sat by the fire alone.
Thus she came to his arms. But even then he held her gently, worshipping her innocence and respecting it.
The next morning he brought her a ring. It was such a wonderful ring that she held her breath. She sat on the rose-colored davenport while he put it on her finger.