That's not so bad. As for the shells that are falling on
Paris, they are coming from a distance of seventy miles--from some
amazing long-range gun the Germans have invented and sprung with the
opening offensive. That is all the news to date, and Dr. Holland says it
is reliable."
"It would have been dreadful news yesterday," said Gertrude, "but
compared to what we heard this morning it is almost like good news. But
still," she added, trying to smile, "I am afraid I will not sleep much
tonight."
"There is one thing to be thankful for at any rate, Miss Oliver, dear,"
said Susan. "and that is that Cousin Sophia did not come in today. I
really could not have endured her on top of all the rest."
CHAPTER XXIX
"WOUNDED AND MISSING"
"Battered but Not Broken" was the headline in Monday's paper, and Susan
repeated it over and over to herself as she went about her work. The gap
caused by the St. Quentin disaster had been patched up in time, but the
Allied line was being pushed relentlessly back from the territory they
had purchased in 1917 with half a million lives. On Wednesday the
headline was "British and French Check Germans"; but still the retreat
went on. Back--and back--and back! Where would it end? Would the line
break again--this time disastrously?
On Saturday the headline was "Even Berlin Admits Offensive Checked," and
for the first time in that terrible week the Ingleside folk dared to
draw a long breath.
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