"The war won't last forever," muttered Roger uneasily. And to himself: "But suppose it _should_ last--a year or more." He did not approve of Edith's scheme. "It's burning her bridges all at once, for something that isn't essential," he thought. But he would not tell her so. Meanwhile Deborah glanced at the clock. "Oh! It's nearly eight o'clock! I must hurry or I'll be late," she said. "Good-night, all--" And she left them. Roger followed her into the hall. "What do you think of this?" he demanded. Her reply was a tolerant shrug. "It's her own money, father--" "All her money!" he rejoined. "Every dollar she has in the world!" "But I don't just see how it can be helped." "Can't you talk to her, show her what folly it is?" "Hardly," said Deborah, smiling. Already she had on her coat and hat and was turning to go. And her father scowled with annoyance. She was always going, he told himself, leaving him to handle her sister alone. He would like to go out himself in the evenings--yes, by George, this very night--it would act like a tonic on his mind. Just for a moment, standing there, he saw Cooper Union packed to the doors, he heard the ringing speeches, the cheers. But no, it was not to be thought of. With this silent war going on in his house he knew he must stay neutral. Watchful waiting was his course. If he went out with Deborah, Edith would be distinctly hurt, and sitting all evening here alone she would draw still deeper into herself. And so it would be night after night, as it had been for many weeks. He would be cooped up at home while Deborah did the running about.... In half the time it takes to tell it, Roger had worked himself into a state where he felt like a mighty badly used man. "I wish you _would_ speak to her," he said. "I wish you could manage to find time to be here more in the evenings. Edith worries so much and she's trying so hard. A little sympathy now and then--" "But she doesn't seem to want any from me," said his daughter, a bit impatiently. "I know it's hard--of course it is. But what can I do? She won't let me help. And besides--there are other families, you know--thousands--really suffering--for the lack of all that we have here." She smiled and kissed him quickly. "Good-night, dad dear, I've got to run." And the door closed behind her. CHAPTER XXVIII After dinner that night, in the living room the two older children studied their lessons and Edith sat mending a pair of rompers for little Tad. Presently Roger came out from his den with the evening paper in his hand and sat down close beside her. He did this conscientiously almost every evening. With a sigh he opened his paper to read, again there was silence in the room, and in this silence Roger's mind roamed far away across the sea.