nny, and the love of freedom
has been transmitted from one generation to another. The plain sects, so
flourishing in some portions of the Keystone State, consider war an
evil, yet scores of men in navy blue and army khaki have come from homes
where the mother wears the white cap, and have gone forth to do their
part in the struggle for world freedom.

As David Eby measured the days before his departure he felt grateful to
Mother Bab for refraining from long homilies of advice. Her whole life
was a living epistle of truth and nobility and she was wise enough to
discern that what her son wanted most in their last days together was
her customary cheerfulness--although he knew that at times the
cheerfulness was a bit bluffed!

News travels fast, even in rural communities. The people on the Metz
farm soon learned of David's loss of money and of his desire to enter
the navy.

"Why didn't you tell me about the stock?" Phoebe chided him.

"I couldn't. It knocked me out--it changed some of my plans. I knew
you'd despise me and I couldn't stand that too that day."

"Despise you! How foolish to think that. Of course it's better to earn
your money, but I think you learned your lesson."

"I have. I'll never try to get rich quick."

"And you're going to war!" The words were almost a cry. "What does
Mother Bab say? How dreadful for her!"

"Dreadful?" he asked gently. "Phoebe, think a minute--would you rather
be the mother of a soldier or sailor than the mother of a slacker?"

"I would," she cried. "A thousand times rather!" She clutched his sleeve
in her old impetuous manner. "I see now what it means, what war must
mean to us! We must serve and be glad to do it. Your going is making it
real for me. I'm proud of you and I know Mother Bab must be just about
bursting with pride, for she always did think you are the grandest son
in the wide world."

"Phoebe, you always stroke me with the grain."

"That sounds as if you were a wooden pussy-cat," she said merrily. "But
you are just being funny to hide your deeper feelings. I know you,
David Eby! Bet your heart's like lead this minute!"

"'I have no heart,'" he quoted. "'The place where my heart was you could
roll a turnip in.'"

She laughed, then suddenly grew sober. "I've been horribly selfish," she
said. "Having fine clothes and a good time and dreaming of fame through
my voice have taken all my time during the past winter. I have taken
only the husks of life and discarded