right place:

MY DEAR BOY:

We got your letter, which gave us great pleasure. We waited
anxiously for it. You wrote it two days ago. Since that time
things have changed. Did you get my letter? I hope so. I
must reassure you about your father the very first thing. He
was away only three days, time enough to guide a detachment
to Bourges. So there is only one vacant place at the
fireside, but how big that one is.

My dear boy, you speak to me of sacrifice; yes, it is one.
And I can tell you it is the greatest one that has ever been
asked of me. However, I keep calm. I tell myself sometimes
that I have deserved it. I am ready to pay, but I wish so
much that you might not pay.

My dear boy, you speak to me of duty and of honor. I have
never doubted that you would do what you ought to. Yes, my
son, a soldier's honor lies in being on the battle field
when the country is in danger. Go, then, my son, with the
blessing of your mother and your father, and with that most
mighty one of your country and of heaven.

You tell me to accept my lot courageously. Alas, sometimes
it fails me. However, I shall try to be resigned and I hope
to see you again in spite of everything. If that should not
happen, say to yourself, my dear boy, when you close your
eyes, that you have all the love and all the sweetest kisses
of your mother, who would like to fly to you.

The sisters are worthy of their mothers. Here is a letter written by
two young girls who live in Lorraine, near Nancy. Plutarch never wrote
anything more beautiful:

MOYEN, 4 SEPTEMBER, 1914.

MY DEAR EDOUARD:

I have heard that Charles and Lucien died on the
twenty-eighth of August. Eugene is badly wounded. As for
Louis and Jean, they are dead also.

Rose has gone away.

Mother weeps, but she says that you are brave and wishes
that you may avenge them.

I hope that your officers will not refuse you that. Jean won
the Legion of Honor; follow in his footsteps.

They have taken everything from us. Of the eleven who went
to war, eight are dead. My dear Edouard, do your duty; we
ask only that.

God gave you life; he has the right to take it away from
you. Mother says that.

We embrace you fondly, although we would like to see you.
Th