Just then Douglas Fairbanks, megaphone in hand, exhorted the crowd to buy Liberty Bonds. "Raise your hand if you’ll buy a ten-dollar bond!" he shouted. Sarah raised her hand, caught up in the excitement of the banner waving and the band playing Sousa’s "Stars and Stripes Forever."

Knowing how Joe scrimped and saved for medical school, Laura was surprised that he, too, bought a bond. She wished she could afford to buy one; however, she had filled five twenty-five-cent Liberty Stamp books. The popular phrase "Lick a Stamp and Lick the Kaiser" flashed through her mind, and she pledged that she’d fill another book before the month of February was over.

The Red Cross girls passed through the crowd and collected more money and more pledge cards.

As the people dispersed Laura thought that the evening must have been a huge success for the government. It was as if a momentum was building to give Germany a knockout blow — and soon. America was on the march!

When they reached home, Laura started to go in, but Joe reached for her hand. "Stay a minute," he urged.

Amazed and pleased, Laura walked to the back of the house with Joe, where they paused in front of the outside stairs leading to the Menottis' apartment.

Joe, still holding her hand, said with a broad smile, "I’m glad you invited me tonight, but I still want to take you out on a Saturday night. How about next Saturday?"

Inwardly she groaned. "Oh, Joe, I’d love to, but we’re entertaining one of Michael’s army buddies."

"Oh?" Joe’s eyebrows shot up. "Who is he?"

His eyes were too difficult to fathom in the dark, but she hoped they showed disappointment. "His name is Shawn O’Brien; he’s from New York. He and Michael were in boot camp together at Fort Sheridan."

"Is Shawn passing through Washington on his way overseas?" Joe asked casually.

"No, he’ll be stationed at the White House as an aide to General Long."

"Hmmm, I see," Joe said thoughtfully. His thick brows descended into a brief frown, then his smile flashed again. "Well, I don’t want to keep you out in the cold night air any longer."

"I’m sorry, Joe." Of all times not to be able to go with him! This is what she had wanted for a long time, and now she couldn’t go. Why did things always come in bunches? she thought.

"Don’t look so sad, little one." He cupped her face between his mittened hands and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Sleep tight." He opened the back door for her, then turned on his heels and mounted the wooden steps to his own home.

She looked longingly after him. Joe had kissed her, actually kissed her! She touched her mouth. True, it wasn’t a very romantic kiss. In fact, it was more of a big brother-kid sister kiss, but it was a sign of affection, and it was a sign she meant to encourage in future meetings with Joe. Perhaps she could have done this next Saturday night, but she would be busy entertaining Shawn. Again she felt a twinge of disloyalty. Joe was the one she loved, she reminded herself.

When she entered her bedroom and turned on the light, Shawn’s image loomed before her. Shawn of the dancing eyes and confident air. She felt a little shiver of anticipation when she thought of him.

That night she was so tired, she slept a dreamless sleep, not once dreaming of handsome Irish boys filled with blarney.

Although the week passed quickly in a flurry of classes, motor drills, and Red Cross meetings, she had expected Shawn to phone. There were no calls; however, he rang the doorbell at six-thirty Saturday evening.

Her pulse raced as she ran to answer the door. There was Shawn, just as jaunty and good-looking as she remembered.

"Laura!" he exclaimed, a beaming smile spreading across his face. "I’ve thought of you all week."

But not enough to call me, she thought silently.

As if reading her thoughts, he hastily explained, "It’s been a busy week. I didn’t have time to write to my parents or to telephone you, but I wanted to. Every time I even looked at the phone it seemed General Long gave me another errand to run."

"Why does General Long keep you so busy?" she asked, hanging up his coat.

"The White House has been hectic ever since the rumor hit about the Russians pulling out of the war and signing a separate peace with the Germans."

"Oh, no!" Laura felt her heart dip. "If the eastern front is no longer a threat, the Germans will be able to concentrate all their forces in the west."

Shawn gazed at her with new respect. "You understand what’s happening perfectly."

"It’s been in all the newspapers," she said, wondering why he wouldn’t expect her to be aware of what was happening.

"Bravo!" He chuckled. "I didn’t know girls read the news."

She felt a flash of anger, but she tried to keep her voice light. "Oh, women not only read the news, they can even digest it." She would have continued with a discussion of the Russian Revolution just to show him, but her mother and Sarah entered the room.

The dinner was a great success and the corned beef and cabbage was delicious. Laura had prepared lentil soup and green salad, which Shawn loved, too. When she began to clear the dishes, Shawn jumped up, insisting on helping her. No one was quite as attentive as Shawn. Every time she looked in his direction his eyes were fastened on her, and every time she moved he followed. It was a wonderful feeling to have him constantly at her side, as if he were totally under her spell. If she wasn’t careful, she’d forget Joe and his mild advances. She frowned, feeling a prick of conscience. What a silly goose she was! She was the one becoming smitten with Shawn. Here she was — an intelligent girl being taken in by a little charm and attention. She would never forsake Joe and his quiet, solid ways for all the compliments and blandishments that Shawn tossed in her direction.

Shawn smiled at Maude. "That was the best corned beef and cabbage I’ve ever tasted." He gallantly rose and held the chair for Maude, who looked very attractive in her lace blouse and slit skirt.

"And now, Mrs. Mitchell and Sarah," Shawn said jovially, "you two relax in the parlor while Laura and I finish clearing the dishes, and then we’ll serve you coffee."

"And cake," added Laura.

"How nice," Maude said, folding her napkin alongside her plate. "I’m ready to be waited on. How about you, Sarah?"

Sarah giggled. "Laura will make a good waitress. One sugar in my coffee, remember?"

"I remember," Laura said. "Now scoot, before we change our minds."

After they left the dining room Laura stacked a few dishes and carried them into the kitchen with Shawn following, although she noticed he had forgotten to bring any dishes with him.

"Before we serve the dessert, let’s scrape the plates," Laura said.

Shawn wrinkled his nose, then gave her his most engaging grin. "That’s woman’s work, my dear Laura." He perched on the kitchen stool. "I’ll watch you, which is always a pleasure. You’re beautiful, and yet you don’t seem to know what a beauty you are. Those long eyelashes fringe the biggest, greenest eyes I’ve ever seen!"

Blushing, she stacked the last plate and began to cut the cake. Although she enjoyed his wonderful compliments, she was upset that he didn’t follow through on his offer to help. Women’s work, indeed!

Standing, Shawn approached her and whispered in her ear. "I have something to ask you, little Laura."

His nearness caused her to stop slicing the cake. She liked feeling him so close. His head was so near that if she turned ever so slightly, his mouth would press against hers.

"What do you want to ask?" she said brightly, masking the flutter in her heart.

He slipped his arm around her waist. "Will you go to the dance with me a week from Saturday?"

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "I’d like to, but I need to ask Mother." Then she deliberately turned, allowing his lips to brush against hers.

"Oh, Laura, what an enchantress you are. We’ll have such fun at the dance," he promised in a low voice.

She was confident her mother would say yes, for she, too, had fallen for Shawn’s charm, and he could do no wrong in her eyes.

"I’ll be the envy of everyone at the dance, with the most gorgeous girl in Washington on my arm."

Stepping back from his encircling arm, she shakily handed him two plates, each with a generous slice of cake.

"Angel food! My favorite cake," he said, licking his lips with relish.

She laughed. "I hope the angel food will take some of the devil out of you."

He chuckled. "You can’t tell me you don’t like a little devil in me."

She pointed to the door. "Mother and Sarah are waiting," she said sternly, but she wasn’t able to control the smile that lit her face. He was right. His ways intrigued and flattered her.

After their ice cream and cake Shawn set up his equipment to take photos. Michael, he said, would appreciate a recent family picture. Shawn’s sense of humor was all too evident when he regaled them with tales of his first week at the White House. He had helped the second Mrs. Wilson out of a limousine and taken a guided tour of the President’s residence, which was almost a disaster. When he walked through the Blue Room with a guide, he had upset an eighteenth-century vase that Napoleon had presented to Dolly Madison, catching it just before it could topple off the pedestal. It seemed that even this debonair New York boy was awed by the White House and all its treasures.

When Shawn said good night, Maude Mitchell had indeed come over and given him permission to take Laura dancing.

It had been a wonderful evening, and Laura practically danced her way upstairs. Before she went to bed, she practiced the fox trot step in preparation for next Saturday.

Monday, on the way home from school, Laura was still euphoric over the weekend. She relived the kisses Joe and Shawn had given her. Delight swept over her at the idea of all at once having two beaux at her feet. Suddenly the feeling of delight was replaced by puzzlement. How could she like both Joe and Shawn so very much and so equally? Weren’t you supposed to fall head over heels in love with one boy at a time? Leave it to her to have two!

As she turned onto Cherry Alley she saw Clara coming down their neighbor’s steps. Her mailbag must have been particularly heavy today, for she was very late.

When Clara spied Laura she waved a letter over her head. "Here’s what you’ve been waiting for, Laura!"

Her heart racing, she dashed to Clara’s side and snatched the envelope from her hand. Michael’s letter was, indeed, what they had been waiting for. She hugged the precious letter to her heart. "Oh, Clara, thanks — Mom and Sarah will be so happy!"

"And how about you?" Clara said, and gave a booming laugh.

"I’m ecstatic!" Laura said, laughing. "Thank you, Clara, thank you a million times!"

"Enjoy it!" Clara chuckled and went on her way.

Flying into the kitchen, Laura shouted, "Here it is! Michael’s letter!"

"At last!" Her mother wiped her floured hands across her apron. A broad smile spread across her sharp features. "Read it aloud, Laura, will you?" She sank down at the table, looking at her daughter in eager anticipation.

Sarah, working at the sink, had spun around and lifted the percolator from the stove. "This calls for a cup of coffee!" She poured three steaming cups and sat across from Laura, eagerly awaiting Michael’s words.

With nervous fingers Laura ripped open the flap and began to read:

Somewhere in France 

January 1, 1918 

Dear Mom, Sarah, and Laura,

It’s New Year’s Day, and the Allies are starting the fourth year of this lousy war. I shouldn’t complain. The Americans have only lived in the trenches for a few months, while the British and French have for three years. You should see these trenches. Hundreds of miles all along the western front. It’s a maze of interlocking dugout ditches; The Sixty-Ninth has been slogging through mud for two days, but Father Duffy and Captain "Wild Bill" Donovan are with us every step of the way — always with a joke or a word of encouragement. Really swell officers.

We left Paris last week and have been marching ever since. I hated to leave "Gay Paree." They gave the American soldiers a terrific reception!