Flags blew out in the light wind, tossed in the sun, and drooped. On the roof of Ellmer’s hotel the crosses and the silver stars shone side by side; the staff at Inglis’s store carried one flag and when it languidly unrolled one saw the gray beaver on the broad red field. In the street the Helensville band played the Maple Leaf, rather out of tune, until the musicians stopped to get their breath and the throb of the rapids rolled across the pines.
Maple LeafTwo or three cars waited opposite the hotel and when a group came down the steps the shouts from the crowd drowned the band. Helen and Mrs. Duff went in front and smiled, but Helen’s color was high and her glance was proud. Bob’s look was embarrassed and to put the ladies in the first car was some relief. Then he turned, as if to wait
