“Remember,” said I, “that I am older than you. You are to tell me all that troubles you.”

“When?”

“Now.”

“No. I have my washing to complete, And you must go. Besides, I have mending, darning, and my knitting yet to do. It all means bed and bait to me.”

“Will you not tell me why you are alone here, Lois?”

“Tell you what? Tell you why I loiter by our soldiers’ camps like any painted drab? I will tell you this much; I need no longer play that shameless role.”

“You need not use those words in the same breath when speaking of yourself,” I answered hotly.