Mother Meraut bought some cloth, and made
Pierrette a new dress, and Pierre a new blouse, to wear on the
great occasion, and when the day finally came, the children
searched the fields to find flowers for a bouquet for the
Commandant; since they had no other birthday gift to offer him.
At three o'clock in the afternoon the whole village was ready to
start. Mademoiselle drove the truck with the old people and
little children sitting in it on heaps of straw. Kathleen was the
driver of the Ford car, and had as passengers Father Meraut,
because he was lame, and Grandpere because he was Grandpere, and
the Twins because it was their birthday; and everybody else
walked.
When they reached the camp, they found Jim and Uncle Sam ready to
act as guard of honor to conduct them to the Commandant, who,
with the Captain beside him, waited to receive them beside the
flagstaff at the reviewing-stand of the parade-ground. It seemed
very strange to Pierre and Pierrette that they should walk before
their parents, and even before the Doctor and Mademoiselle, but
Uncle Sam and Jim arranged the procession, and placed them at its
head. So, carrying their bouquet of flowers, they followed
obediently where their escort led. "Now, kids," said Uncle Sam in
a low voice as they neared the reviewing-stand, "walk right up
and mind your manners. Salute and give him the bouquet, and speak
your piece."
"We haven't any piece to speak," quavered Pierrette, very much
frightened, "except to wish him many happy returns of his
birthday.
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