"Well, she said she'd seen some one pass, and I guessed it was you. I've been in having a talk with Jack, my boy, and I wanted to see you too." And he linked arms and went on. "Yes?" "About your letter to Gracie." And Eager felt the boy's arm jump inside his own. "It was a tremendous surprise to her, you know. She had never thought of either of you in that way, and it knocked her all of a heap. Now I want you all to let matters rest as they are for a year, Jim----" "A year! Good Lord!" "I know how you feel, lad, but it is absolutely the only thing to be done. You've been like brothers to her, you know. You are both very dear to her; but when you ask her suddenly to choose between you, she cannot. I couldn't myself. You are both dearer to me than any one in the world . . . almost . . . after Gracie, . . . but if you put me in a comer and bade me, at risk of my life, say which of you I liked best--well, I couldn't do it. And that's just her position." "I'm afraid . . . I don't suppose I stand much chance . . . against old Jack. . . . He's a much finer fellow. . . . But, oh, Mr. Eager . . . I can't tell you how I feel about her. . . . If it could make her happy I'd be ready to lie right down here and die this minute." And Eager pressed the jerking arm inside his own understandingly. "I believe you would, my boy. But it wouldn't make for Gracie's happiness at all to have you lie down and die. You must both live to do good work in the world and make us all proud of you. And the work looks like coming, Jim, and quickly." "You mean this war they're talking about?" "Yes. I'm afraid there's no doubt it's coming, and war is a terrible thing." "It'll give one the chance of showing what's in one, anyway." "Some one has to pay for such chances." "I suppose so . . . . unless one pays oneself. . . . I don't know that I particularly want to kill any one, but I suppose one forgets all that in the thick of it. . . . Anyway, if it comes to fighting I think I can do that . . . if I haven't got much of a head for books and things." "I believe you will do your duty, whatever it is, my boy, and no man can do more." "Well?" asked Gracie eagerly, when Eager got home again. "Did you see them? Quick, Charlie! Tell me!" "Yes, I saw them. Jack at home--trying to work. Jim down along--couldn't sit still." "The poor boys!" "They are very much in earnest, but I have got them to see the reasonableness of waiting--for a year at least." "I'm glad. I don't know how I can ever choose between them, Charlie." "Don't trouble about it, dear. Things have a way of working themselves out if you leave them to themselves." "I wonder!" she said wearily. CHAPTER XXX NEVER THE SAME AGAIN "Things can never be the same again," was the doleful refrain of all Gracie's thoughts as she tossed and tumbled that night, very weary but far too troubled to sleep. And at Carne there were two more in like case. "Seen Mr. Eager?" asked Jack when Jim came in.