Philip glanced nervously through the pages of the Temps. He was anxious to get the letter to the post--to have done with indecision and worry. It would be a blessed relief when the thing was finally done beyond chance of recall; why couldn't that stupid waiter hurry? On the last page of the newspaper was an item headlined "Recent News from America." Below was a sub-heading "Horrible Massacre of Soldiers by Indians--Brave Stand of American Troopers." He caught the name "Custer" and read: "And by his brave death at the hands of the Indians, this gallant American general has made the name of Custer one which will forever be associated with courage of the highest type." He read it all through again and sat quietly as the hand of Polyphemus closed over him. He even smiled a little--a weary, ironic smile. "Monsieur desires something more, perhaps"--the waiter held out the bill. Philip smiled. "No--Monsieur has finished--there is nothing more." Then he repeated slowly, "There is nothing more." * * * * * Philip watched his son George blow out the twelve candles on his birthday cake. "Mother," said George, "when I get to be eighteen, can I be a soldier just like grandfather up there?" He pointed to the portrait of Philip's father in uniform which hung in the dining room. "Of course you can, dear," said his mother. "But you must be a brave boy". "Grandfather was awful brave, wasn't he father?" This from little Mary between mouthfuls of cake. "Yes, Mary," Philip answered. "He was very, very brave." "Of course he was," said George. "He was an American." "Yes," answered Philip, "That explains it.--he was an American." Mrs. Custer looked up at the portrait of her distinguished father-in-law. "You know Philip, I think it must be quite nice to be able to paint a picture like that. I've often wondered why you never kept up your art." CHAPTER NINE "FOR THE FREEDOM OF THE WORLD" A DRAMA OF THE GREAT WAR Act I: In the Manner of Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews Act 2: In the Manner of Eugene O'Neill ACT ONE (Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews) SCENE I A principal street of an American city in the spring of 1918. At the rear of the stage, representing the opposite sidewalk of the street, are gathered many people come to bid farewell to the boys of the Blankth regiment who are soon to march past on their way to France. Extending across the "street", from footlights to "sidewalk", is a large white plaster arch, gayly decorated with the Allied colors. On this arch is the inscription "For the Freedom of the World."