Off To Mexico

"Always carry this with you."

         The head nurse, Miss Bossem, rushed out of the Dolls' Hospital toward the children. "You're late, Miss Helpem," she called to Mary Frances. "Go right on duty rolling bandages for the soldiers who start for Mexico today. The troop-train leaves at two-thirty. Hurry, now, or you won't get them to the station on time."

       Then, turning to Billy, "Get the ambulance ready immediately," she commanded, and Billy disappeared into the garage.

       You see, Mary Frances finished the course in First Aid Nursing with the Red Cross Preparedness Class just before her birthday. Being very proud of her newly acquired knowledge, she wanted to show Billy how much she had learned.

       When Billy promised her any favor she could think of as a birthday present, Mary Frances joyfully asked him to spend a whole day at the Dolls' Hospital in the playroom, pretending they were little kiddies again that she was Miss Helpem, the assistant nurse, and that Billy was the ambulance driver. To keep his promise, Billy consented.

       Just as they stepped into the playroom door, they seemed to grow smaller and smaller, until they were no bigger than the dolls themselves.

       Promptly at two-fifteen, Miss Helpem arrived at the station with an ambulance full of bandages, and just in time to see the Brave family bidding good-bye to Private Ima Brave. All the family were there, even Michael, the big bulldog. Private Brave was among the last of the soldiers to board the little train.

       "You'll write from New York, dear," begged his mother, kissing him for the twentieth time, and slipping a little American Red Cross first-aid outfit in his hand. "Always carry this with you, and remember how your mother loves you."

       "And you'll send me picture postcards from everywhere, won't you?" begged little Ibee Brave, standing on tip-toe to get a better view of his tall, straight brother.

       "There's a speck of dust on your uniform," fussed Soami, his little sister, as she brushed him with her handkerchief.

       Private Brave smiled. "We're not on dress parade, little sister," he said. "It's good that khaki doesn't show the dust, for it's a dusty country we're going to."

       " 'It's a long, long way to Mexico, it's a long way to go,' ' began little Ibee; but at that moment the engine whistled, and his father clasped Private Brave's hand.

       "I am proud of my son," was all he said.

       "And I, of my brother," Shesa, his big sister, added, with tears in her eyes.

       One more whistle, and the little train started down the playroom railroad track.

       "We'll bring the limousine nearer the station," said Mr. Brave, taking Mrs. Brave's arm and walking away.

       "Father and Mother don't want anyone to talk with them just now," said Shesa.

       "I don't see why. Gee, I wish I was big enough to go," said little Ibee, as he watched the train until the last car turned a curve in the track.

       "You'd make a fine soldier, wouldn't you," laughed Soami, "when you're afraid to go upstairs in the dark."

"My! he can drum bravely!"

        "Only sometimes," answered Ibee, "only when the wind blows hard and when it's not moonlight and then, not often."

       "Why, Soami, Ibee is real brave," said Shesa. "Don't you remember how you were afraid to go down cellar to get some jam last night and Ibee would have gone, if father hadn't made you go?"

       "Yes, and father stood on the landing the whole time you were gone, too, Miss," declared Ibee triumphantly.

       "Yes, that's so," acknowledged Soami. "I guess Ibee would make a good soldier especially a drummer boy. My, he can drum bravely! Did you hear him yesterday, Shesa?"

       "Indeed I did," laughed the sister.

       "Yes," continued Soami, mischievously, "don't you remember the verses about

       'A little man bought him a big bass drum, Boom-tid-dee-ah-da-boom!

       "Who knows," said he, "When a war might come? Boom-tid-dee-ah-da-boom! I'm not at all frightened you understand, But if I am called to fight for my land, I want to be ready to play in the band. Boom-tid-dee-ah-da-boom!' "

       "Come, children," said their father, driving up, "here's the car; hop in."

Introduction: Chapters: Off To Mexico, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19