I respect your dedication; your willingness to sacrifice for your beliefs. Why, Wallace, it would be a crime for me to stand in your way--even with my mother’s love. (_He kisses her._) Do it all as cleanly as you can. I’ll hope and pray that you’ll come back to me. (_Half breaking down and taking him in her arms._) Oh, my boy; my boy. Let me hold you. You’ll never know how hard it is for a mother. WALLACE (_Gently_) But other mothers send their boys. HILDA Most of them believe in what their sons are fighting for. Mothers have _got_ to believe in it; or else how could they stand the thought of bayonets stuck into the bodies they brought forth in their own blood? (_There is a pause till she controls herself._) I’ll help you get your things together. WALLACE And father? HILDA He will be angry. WALLACE But you will make him understand? HILDA I’ll try. Yet you must be patient with him if he doesn’t understand. Don’t ever forget his long fight against all kinds of Prussianism when you hear him reviled by those who have always hated his radicalism and who, now, under the guise of patriotism, are trying to render him useless for further attacks on them after the war. He’s been persecuted so by them--even back in the days when our press was praising Germany and our distinguished citizens were dining at the Emperor’s table. Don’t forget all this, my boy. These days are hard for him--and me--harder perhaps than for you who go out to die in glory and praise. There are no flags for us, no music that stirs, no applause; but we too suffer in silence for what we believe. And it is only the strongest who can survive.--Now call your father. WALLACE (_Goes to door_) Dad! (_He leaves door open and turns to his mother._) I’ll be getting my things together. (_There is a pause._ WHITE _enters_.) Dad, mother has something to ask you. (_He looks from father to mother._) Thanks, little mother. (_He kisses her and goes out taking the valise. His father and mother stand facing each other._) HILDA Wallace has volunteered. (_He looks at her keenly._) He has lied about his age. He wants us to let him go. WHITE Volunteered? HILDA Yes; he leaves to-night. WHITE (_After a pause_) And what have _you_ told him? HILDA That he must go. WHITE You can say that? HILDA It is the way he sees it. WHITE (_Going to her sympathetically_) Hilda. HILDA (_Looking up at him tenderly_) Oh, Will, do you remember when he was born? (_He soothes her._) And all we nursed him through afterwards; and all we taught him; all we tried to show him about war. (_With a shrug of her shoulders._) None of it has mattered. WHITE War is stronger than all that. HILDA So we mustn’t blame him. You won’t blame him? WHITE He fears I will? HILDA He has always feared you a little though he loves you deeply. You mustn’t oppose him, dear. You won’t? WHITE (_Wearily_) Is there any use opposing anybody or anything these days? HILDA