It was a very great relief to Pierre's friends, and they were legion after his great exploit, when the surgeon pronounced his blindness only temporary. His broken leg would take weeks to mend, but he would see as well as ever in a few days. So there was great rejoicing in the sector and through the ranks of the lost division, which was not to be lost after all, to know that their brave little dog hero would soon be as fit as ever.
The surgeon each day washed Pierre's eyelids, and sometimes even turned them wrong side out, that he might better cleanse them and so help on their healing. For a week Pierre had to wear a muzzle and this he at first thought a disgrace. But the surgeon was a lover of dogs, and he finally explained to the terrier that the muzzle was to keep him from tearing off his splint on the broken leg.
Finally the surgeon so covered the splint with plaster of paris that it could not be pulled away and Pierre was relieved of the hateful muzzle.
As the days passed he and the surgeon became the best of friends. Each morning when the doctor made his round of the hospital Pierre would trot behind him and stop at each bedside while the doctor attended to the patient.
There was no soldier in the hospital who was not proud to shake the paw of their comrade. Few of them had done as much for France.
So it happened that Pierre's name was upon all lips in that sector of the army.
He also occupied much space in the French newspapers for several days. For an enterprising correspondent who was with the division heard the story and wrote it out in full. He also secured a photo of the Airedale, showing his bandaged paw and partly closed eyes, and his newspaper used the story as one of its important features the following morning. Other papers were quick to copy so good a story as this was.
So it happened that the great actress one morning over her coffee was amazed to see Pierre's quizzical face grinning at her from the front page of her morning paper. With tears in her eyes and a great lump in her throat she read the account of her dear dog's bravery.
When she had finished reading it to herself, she summoned all her servants and read the story to them.
Yet she was not content with the newspaper account of Pierre's rapid recovery, but telegraphed the surgeon in charge for all particulars. She was rather disappointed to receive a brief telegram which read, "You shall have all particulars to-morrow. In the meantime, patience."
Pierre was rather surprised on the following morning when he was not allowed to follow the surgeon over the hospital, but instead was taken into the office where there was much excitement. The actress's old friend General Gerundo was there, and several of his staff were with him.
He shook Pierre's well paw most cordially and the terrier wagged his appreciation. Then he was placed on the table in the centre of the group and all gathered around and shook his paw just as though he had been the President of France. Finally the general stood before Pierre and read from a paper which he held in his hand.
Pierre knew the soldier was talking to him, or that the reading had something to do about him, but of course he did not know just what. So he tried to look very knowing and listened just as intently as he used to for "Gee" and "Haw." When the soldier had finished reading, all the men clapped their hands and Pierre felt that something was expected of him, so he barked loudly twice and wagged his tail a great deal. All of which seemed to please the men immensely.
When Pierre was finally lifted down from the table he was much relieved, for
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this was really more embarrassing than a battle.
Then an orderly came in and the men took leave of Pierre with much ceremony and the orderly lifted him in his arms and carried him out to a waiting automobile.
"Our little soldier is going home to the great actress," explained the general to his staff. "The actress is ill. She has been playing daily ever since the war began. She is another good soldier. She loves the dog just as though he were a child, and we are sending him home to cure her. She has already made sacrifices enough for France and so has Pierre. It will be a happy evening at the château on the Loire to-night or I don't know Madame.
"I only hope Pierre won't jump out of the car and break his other legs before they arrive. He is such a bundle of energy."
Pierre had always been fond of automobiling, especially when he could sit upon the front seat and watch the passing show through the window. As soon as he was lifted into the machine he indicated his preference by taking the seat next the window and sitting perfectly erect just like a drum-major. Very little that was worth while escaped his sharp eyes. He was interested to see all the other dogs by the roadway, and especially those who were riding in machines. Occasionally he would look up at the orderly to see if he noticed the other dog, or the cat which really ought to be chased, only they were in such a hurry. They reached Paris about noon and after stopping for dinner were off again.
No one had told Pierre he was going home, or that he was soon to see his mistress. Yet he knew it just as well as though they had told him. He knew the direction in which they were travelling and perhaps his loving dog heart was singing home, or more likely it was just his dog instinct, which often puts man's knowledge to shame.
In the meantime the great actress was resting in her wonderful boudoir with beauty and luxury all around her. Yet she was not happy. She had temporarily broken down and could no longer do her part for France. She made no allowances for herself. She did not say that she was nearly seventy, and should be resting by rights. For her heart and soul were made of stern stuff, and she felt the call of duty just as strongly as she ever had.
She was really lonely and wanted somebody to love. Something or somebody that would cuddle up to her generous breast and take the ache out of her heart. She had not said so to any one, but she wanted Pierre. She could cuddle and talk to him, and he would not talk back. She could love with all the passion of her great heart and Pierre would love back and shower her face with kisses, and they could have such a good time if he were only there. He had done his part in this horrible old war. They ought to let him come home. She would telegraph the general that minute, that she must have Pierre back. She reached out her hand to press the button, but stopped in the movement, for an automobile horn had honked in the yard. Then Madame's heart almost stopped beating, for she heard Pierre's bark. It was so eager, so joyous, and so glad that there was no mistaking it.
The actress now pressed the button frantically and the bell buzzed away as though possessed. But all the servants knew what she wanted and did not wait for orders. Instead the orderly walked straight into Madame's beautiful boudoir without waiting to be announced, and Pierre, the hero of the lost division, was in his arms. Hastily he set the struggling dog down on the couch beside Madame, and then went softly out of the room. He understood.
For half an hour they were left entirely alone, while the servants tiptoed about waiting to be summoned to the great lady's presence, and finally the summons came.
When they entered rather fearfully they found the actress sitting erect on her couch. Her eyes were bright, her cheeks were flushed, and her voice was vibrant with joy.
"Marie, bring my best gown," she cried joyously. "I am well. Doctor Pierre has cured me. I am going to give a fête in his honor to-night. But first summon all my servants. I want you to hear this letter from General Gerundo. It is a great honor that has come to my humble château this day. It has brought great happiness to me."
When the servants were all finally assembled, Madame cuddled Pierre up under her arm, next to her heart and read in a clear beautiful voice. The same wonderful voice that had thrilled millions on both continents:
"Madame, the great actress, adored by all Frenchmen and loved by the world. I greet you to-day with joy and thanksgiving. It gives me great pleasure to announce to you that your Pierre, our little soldier, was to-day cited by me for special bravery and praised in my most eloquent French, in his presence.
"Few men in the French army have rendered a greater service to their country than has Pierre to France. In behalf of the lost division, which due to his valor is not lost at all, I thank you from the depths of my heart. The rest of the army in my sector returns thanks to you as well. And I am sure that all Frenchmen will join with me in congratulating you on the possession of such a dog.
"His name is and ought to be forever emblazoned on the honor roll of France.
"Please may I also express the love of all France for her great actress. I greet you, Madame, with my lowest bow and I also extend to you my personal and most grateful love. May you and Pierre enjoy the rest you have so well earned. You have done your part, so rest in the joy of a glorious victory for France.
"Your obedient servant.
"General Gerundo."
"Now," concluded Madame joyfully giving Pierre a great hug, and a kiss on his face, "let's make our plans for the fête. I want it something which will always be remembered at the château."
The end