New-York tribune., 1918-01-06
Among the Refugees
By Ruth Gaines
Grccouvt, Sonamc, France, Nov. 1S.

Grccouvt, .Son,n,c, France, Nov. 13.
WYE have been at Grkcourt nearly
w six weeks, but had never, un-
til to-day, attempted to re-
construct in imagination our fire
gutted chateau. This was due in part
to its ugliness, it being mid-Vic-
torian brick building, outlined in gray
stone. Besides, in the perfect autumn
days OF our first arrival, our attention
was held by the lovely woods and gar
dens, ruined though they were.
To-day, however, the leaves have
fallen and the woods mako a winter
tracery against scudding sky. The
rain, too, falls in slant lines, and our
baraques, so homelike in pleasant
weather, begin to look an inadequate
protection against the dampness and
the cold. My path from the LAnnoy
farm, whittier had gone for butter.
led past the side entrance to the
chateau, and my eye was caught by
chimneys within. Here. then, was the
kitchen. Here, as the baronne's cook,
who now cooks for us, loves to narrate,
were prepared tho meals which made
her mistress famous for her hospital
ity. In the tower adjoining was evil
IDENTIFY the buffers pantry, with capa-
cious sink and pump. Directly beneath
is the cellar. There doubtless were
stored the salads, the cauliAowers, the
cabbaSes, the potatoes, the leeks and
the onions grown in the kitchen gar
dcns of the estate. The great gar
dens remain even yet the most en-
chanting corner Of the grounds. In
the cellar also-regretful memory on
a bitter day!-'was the furnace which
used to heat the spacious rooms above
Life Emerges
From the Ruins
Now tie cellar gapes, half-open
ruin. beneath skeleton walls, It's steel
and concrete still bearing the weight
Of tons of fallen debris. AS / turn
away a sound CT CHEEKY voices rises
from the interior, and Nine. Diane and
little Georgette emerge, followed by
"Mlle. Louise" with her square tin Ian
tern. The half light fails to hide
the copper red Of Georgette's hair and
the redder spots Of color in her checks.
Her aunt, sturdy figure, swings two
shining milk pals in ono hand, holds
Georgette by the other and clatters of
to milk the cows.
Mme. Diane is an institution with US
at Grecourt. In the first place, she is
the right-hand man Of "Mlle. Louise
otherwise Miss Lewis, who is in charge
OF our farms. Should the latter fail
to appear in the early morning, or at
the uncertain hour Of the evening when
our seven cows are milked, Nine.
Liane's firm step is heard upon our
duck walk and her trmer voice calling
Mile. Louice!" Failing an answer.
she effects an entrance forthwith, an
nouncing checrfully: II do not care
low 1 find you, you would never be
embarrassed by me."
AS rear or van guard comes Ceor-
gette. Georgette is five years old. ard
Charming. She is dressed. as our
srandmothcrs used to be, in a tight
topped, iull-s1iraed frock, with founced
pantalets showing below. She adores
Mile. Louise" Her dimples, her shy
little smile and curtsey attest it. She
Leans. And it is no wonder. Who
put mademoiselle would notice the
destitute state OF Georgette's doll
possibly a r6fugie like hcrself-and
glue on its head and dress it "comme
une petite Americaine"? And who but
she would teach her to sing "Robin.
Jolly Robin" or shake hands With ber
gravely as If she were a grown ,ady,
and not Georgette at all.
Robert Can Do
The Bob White
There is only one rival to Georeette
in "Mlle. Louise's" affections eight
year-old Robert. who walks all the wav
from the village Of Canizy every morn
ing for milk. With head cooked on one
side, red scarf about his neck and
wooden sabots on his feet, he is really
a beguiling little figure. To him Mile
Louise has taught the Bob White
whistle, and By that note we know that
Robert has arrived
But "Mllc. Louise" has more than cows
and milk among her responsibilities.
There were, for instance, pigs. It was
on q Sunday that they arrived. thres
OF them, loose. in a big army CANTON.
Almost simultaneously arrived a de-
tachment OF engineers, whom we had
invited to dinner, and two distin-
gulshed visitors. whom we had not in
vlted. AS one Of our number put t. IN
describing similar event, "Eyervbodv
seems to get here on Sunday"
The sojourn of the pigs among us
was short, they being bartered for our
most valued yet hazardous possession.
the duck walk. The chickens, arriv;no
with equal informality, were DISPOSED
OF IN less haste. Seventy-fvc Of them