d be reconciled to this. No! It is hard enough to
be reconciled to the blows God has dealt me, without accepting what my
husband and son see fit to give me in this." Her hand was cold and
passive, and her voice was restrained and low.

Mary Ballard's hands were warm, and her tones were rich and full. She
took the proffered hand in both her own and drew the shadow down to
sit at her side.

"No, no. I'm not going to try to make you reconciled, or anything.
I've just come to tell you that I understand, and that I think you are
justified in withholding your consent to Peter Junior's going off in
this way."

"If he were killed, I should feel as if I had consented to his
death."

"Of course you would. I should feel just the same. Naturally you can't
forbid his going,--now,--for it's too late, and he would have to go
with the feeling of disobedience in his heart, and that would be cruel
to him, and worse for you."

"I know. His father has consented; they think I am wrong. My son
thinks I am wrong. But I can't! I can't!" In her suppressed tones
sounded the ancient wail of women--mothers crying for their sons
sacrificed in war. For a few moments neither of them spoke. It was
hard for Mary to break the silence. Her friend sat at her side
withdrawn and still; then she lifted her eyes to the picture of
herself and the children and spoke again, only breathing the words:
"Peter Junior--my beautiful oldest boy--he is the last--the others are
all gone--three of them."

"Peter Junior is splendid. I thought so last evening as I saw him
coming up the path. I took it home to myself--what I should feel, and
what I would think if he were my son. Somehow we women are so
inconsistent and foolish. I knew if he were my son, I never could give
my consent to his going, never in the world,--but there! I would be so
proud of him for doing just what your boy has done; I would look up
to him in admiration, and be so glad that he was just that kind of a
man!"

Hester Craigmile turned and looked steadily in her friend's eyes, but
did not open her lips, and after a moment Mary continued:--

"To have one's sons taken like these--is--is different. We know they
are safe with the One who loved little children; we know they are safe
and waiting for us. But to have a boy grow into a young man like Peter
Junior--so straight and fine and beautiful--and then to have him come
and say: 'I'm going to help save our country and will die for it if I
must!'