“Not at present. Matron had to be told of course. But Con is one of her old favourites, and she is to say nothing about it for a time. You see, if the war amounts to anything and goes on long, they are sure to be called on for nurses to go to the front and they’ll be short-handed----” “And they couldn’t afford to dispense with the best nurse they’ve got, on a mere technicality,” said Con. “And as soon as it’s all over I’m to join old Jamieson in Harley Street, and we’ll set up housekeeping--probably with him. He’s got room enough for four families in that big house of his.” “Well, well!” said Mrs Dare, and said no more, but her mother’s heart prayed fervently that no whiff of the war-cloud might dim the bright and hopeful outlook of these eager young lives. They chatted quietly over their tea, of Lois and Ray, and of Noel and young MacLean and their war-like cravings, and of Vic and Honor, and all the other little family matters in which they were all interested. “I’d love to see those boys in kilts,” said Alma. “They don’t know yet if there will be a Second Battalion,” said Mrs Dare. “But if they don’t get into the London Scottish they’ll join something else. They are quite set on going.” “It’s only natural,” said Con. “All the same I can’t help hoping they may not have to go to the front.” At which Con shook his head. “I’m afraid you must not count on that, mother dear. One never knows what may happen in war, of course. But everyone who knows says the Germans are mighty fighters, and they’ve been preparing for this for many years. In fact some folks seem to think their big war-machine may even be too perfect,--so very perfect that if anything goes wrong with any part of it it will all tumble to pieces.” “I wish it would and smother that wretched Kaiser in the ruins,” said Alma heartily. “I don’t think it likely. They are very wonderful folks. In organization, and scientific attainment generally, they have made us all sit up and they beat us still. There is just one thing in this matter in which we have the advantage over them.” “Ships? Guns?” queried Alma. “No,--greater than either,--the simple fact that we’re in the right and they are utterly in the wrong. And that, you’ll find, will tell in the long run. They are forcing on this war to serve their own selfish ends; and we, thank God, have no axe of our own to grind in the matter. We’re out to make an end of wars, if that is possible.” “That is worth fighting for,” said his mother heartily. “Ay! Worth dying for if necessary.... It will be very hot work, I expect.... But we’ve got to win,--or go under. And that is unthinkable. But the cost may be heavy.” “Our thoughts ... and our prayers will be with you all the time, my boy.... May God grant us all a safe deliverance!” said Mrs Dare fervently. “And that will help to buck us all up,” said Con cheerfully. “But we mustn’t get morbid. Suppose we go over and break the good news to the Colonel and Auntie Mitt, Mrs Connal Dare!”