We must wait till the storm passes. WHITE That’s never been my way. HILDA No. You’ve fought all your life. But now we must sit silent together and wait; wait for our boy to come back. Will, think of it; we are going to have a boy “over there,” too. WHITE Hilda, hasn’t it ever struck you that we may have been all wrong? (_She looks at him, as she holds his hand._) What could these frail hands do? How could we poor little King Canutes halt this tide that has swept over the world? Isn’t it better, after all, that men should fight themselves out; bring such desolation upon themselves that they will be forced to see the futility of war? May it not become so terrible that men--the workers, I mean--will throw down their worn-out weapons of their own accord? Won’t permanent peace come through bitter experience rather than talk--talk--talk? HILDA (_Touching the torn pages of his speech and smiling_) Here is your answer to your own question. WHITE Oh, that was all theory. We’re in now. You say yourself we can’t oppose it. Isn’t it better if we try to direct the current to our own ends rather than sink by trying to swim against it? HILDA Oh, yes; it would be easier for one who _could_ compromise. WHITE But haven’t we radicals been too intolerant of compromise? HILDA That has been _your_ strength. And it is your strength I’m relying on now that Wallace.... Shall I call him? WHITE (_Significantly_) No; wait. HILDA (_Apprehensive at his turn_) Oh, yes. Before he came you said there was something...? (_The phone rings. They both look at it._) That’s for you. WHITE (_Not moving_) Yes. HILDA (_Hardly believing his attitude_) Is--is it private? WHITE No. Perhaps it will be easier this way. (_He hesitates, then goes to phone as she stands expectant._) Yes. Yes. Long Distance? Washington? (_Her lips repeat the word._) Yes. This is William White. Hello. Yes. Is this the Secretary speaking? Oh, I appreciate the honor of having you confirm it personally. Senator Bough is chairman? At _his_ request? Ah, yes; war makes strange bedfellows. Yes. The passport and credentials? Oh, I’ll be ready. Yes. Good-bye. (_He hangs up the receiver and looks at her._) HILDA You, too! WHITE I’ve been trying to tell you these last weeks; but I couldn’t somehow. HILDA You were ashamed? WHITE No, dear; only I knew it would hurt you. HILDA I’m not thinking of myself but of you. You are going to be part of this war? WHITE I’m going to do what I can to help finish it. HILDA By compromising with the beliefs of a lifetime? WHITE No, dear; not that. I’ve accepted the appointment on this commission because I’m going to accept facts. HILDA Have the facts of war changed or is it you? WHITE Neither has changed; but I’m going to act differently. I’m going to be part of it. Yes. I’m going to help direct the current. HILDA