“He would, or he would not be coming about Lakeside Farm.” “Then he does come about?” “Oh, yes,” said Nora with an exaggerated air of indifference. “He would be rather a nuisance if he were not so awfully useful and so jolly. After all, I do not see what we should have done without him.” “Ah, a good man is Dean.” “I had a letter from Jane this week,” continued Nora, changing the subject abruptly. “I have not heard for two weeks,” said Larry. “Then you have not heard about Scuddy. Poor Scuddy! But why say 'poor' Scuddy? He was doing his duty. It was a patrol party. He was scouting and ran into an enemy patrol and was instantly killed. The poor girl, Helen Brookes, I think it is.” “Helen Brookes!” exclaimed Larry. “Yes, Jane says you knew her. She was engaged to Scuddy. And Scallons is gone too.” “Scallons!” “And Smart, Frank Smart.” “Frank Smart! Oh! his poor mother! My God, this war is awful and grows more awful every day.” “Jane says Mrs. Smart is at every meeting of the Women's Association, quiet and steady, just like our Kathleen. Oh, Larry, how can they do it? If my husband--if I had one--were killed I could not, I just could not, bear it.” “I fancy, little girl, you would measure up like the others. This is a damnable business, but we never knew our women till now. But the sooner that cursed race is wiped off the face of the earth the better.” “Why, Larry, is that you? I cannot believe my ears.” “Yes, it is me. I have come to see that there is no possibility of peace or sanity for the world till that race of mad militarists is destroyed. I am still a pacifist, but, thank God, no longer a fool. Is there no other news from Jane?” “Did you hear about Ramsay Dunn? Oh, he did splendidly. He was wounded; got a cross or something.” “Did you know that Mr. Murray had organised a battalion and is Lieutenant-Colonel and that Doctor Brown is organising a Field Ambulance unit and going out in command?” “Oh, that is settled, is it? Jane told me it was possible.” “Yes, and perhaps Jane and Ethel Murray will go with the Ambulance Unit. Oh, Larry, is there any way I might go? I could do so much--drive a car, an ambulance, wash, scrub, carry despatches, anything.” “By Jove, you would be a good one!” exclaimed her brother. “I would like to have you in my company.” “Couldn't it be worked in any possible way?” cried Nora. But Larry made no reply. He knew well that no reply was needed. What was her duty this splendid girl would do, whether in Flanders or in Alberta. At the door of their home the mother met them. As her eyes fell upon her son in his khaki uniform she gave a little cry and ran to him with arms uplifted.