"I'm asking you to risk a good deal," she continued, her voice intense and low. "But somehow, dearie, I always feel that this old house of ours is strong. It can _stand_ a good deal. We can all of us stand so much, as soon as we know we have to." The lines of her wide sensitive mouth tightened firmly once again. "It's all so vague and uncertain, I know. But one thing at least is sure. This is no time for people with money--no matter how little--to shut themselves up in their own little houses and let the rest starve or beg or steal. This is the time to do our share." And she waited. But he made no reply. "Every nation at war is doing it, dad--become like one big family--with everyone helping, doing his share. Must a nation be at war to do that? Can't we be brothers without the guns? Can't you see that we're all of us stunned, and trying to see what war will mean to all the children in the world? And while we're groping, groping, can't we give each other a hand?" Still he sat motionless there in the dark. At last he stirred heavily in his chair. "I guess you're right," he told her. "At least I'll think it over--and try to work out something along the lines you spoke of." Again there was a silence. Then his daughter turned to him with a little deprecating smile. "You'll forgive my--preaching to you, dad?" "No preaching," he said gruffly. "Just ordinary common sense." * * * * * A little later Allan came in, and Roger soon left them and went to bed. Alone with Baird she was silent a moment. "Well? Have you thought it over?" she asked. "Wasn't I right in what I said?" At the anxious ring in her low clear voice, leaning over he took her hand; and he felt it hot and trembling as it quickly closed on his. He stroked it slowly, soothingly. In the semi-darkness he seemed doubly tall and powerful. "Yes, I'm sure you were right," he said. "Spring at the latest--I'll marry you then--" Her eyes were intently fixed on his. "Come here!" she whispered sharply, and Baird bent over and held her tight. "Tighter!" she whispered. "Tighter!... There!... I said, spring at the latest! I can't lose you, Allan--now--" She suddenly quivered as though from fatigue. "I'm going to watch you close down there," he said in a moment, huskily. CHAPTER XXV Roger saw little of Deborah in the weeks that followed. She was gathering her forces for the long struggle she saw ahead. And his own worries filled his mind. On his house he succeeded in borrowing five thousand dollars at ten per cent, and in his office he worked out a scheme along the lines of Deborah's plan. At first it was only a struggle to save the remnants of what was left. Later the tide began to turn, new business came into the office again. But only a little, and then it stopped. Hard times were here for the winter.