"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."
Everybody now crowded about the truck, and in it,--oh, wonderful,-
-piled on the floor and hanging from the top and sides, were the
very things for which they had been longing so eagerly! There
were hoes, and shovels, and rakes, and garden seeds of all kinds.
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