The Doctor sat down again. "I'd tell most men to take a cold shower
and a two hours' tramp, but it's more than that with you--."

"It's a ease of suspended activity. I want to get into the war--"

"Why don't you?"

"I can't leave Dad. Surely you can see that."

"I don't see it. He must reap, every man must."

"But there's more than that. My mother tied me by a promise. And
people are calling me a coward--even Dad thinks I am a slacker, and I
can't say to him, 'If you were more than the half of a man I might be a
whole one.'"

"Your mother couldn't have foreseen this war."

"It would have made no difference. Her world was centered in him. You
know, of course, Doctor, that I wouldn't have spoken of this to anyone
else--"

"My dear fellow, I am father confessor to half of my patients." The
Doctor's eyes were kind. "My lips will be sealed. But if you want my
advice I should throw the old man overboard. Let him sink or swim.
Your life is your own."

"It has never been my own." He went to a desk and took out an
envelope. "It's a rather sacred letter, but I want you to read it--I
read it for the first time last night."

When at last the Doctor laid the letter down, Derry said very low, "Do
you blame me?"

"My dear fellow; she had no right to ask it."

"But having asked--?"

"It is a moving letter, and you loved her--but I still contend she had
no right to ask."

"I gave my sacred word."

"I question whether any promise should stand between a man and his
country's need of him."

They faced each other. "I wonder--" Derry said, "I--I must think it
over, Doctor."

"Give yourself a chance if you do. We can go too far in our sacrifice
for others--." He resumed his brisk professional manner. "In the
meantime you've a rather sick old gentleman on your hands. You'd
better get a nurse."

CHAPTER VII

HILDA

The argument came up at breakfast two days before Thanksgiving. It was
a hot argument. Jean beat her little hands upon the table. Hilda's
hands were still, but it was an irritating stillness.

"What do you think, Daddy?"

"Hilda is right. There is no reason why we should go to extremes."

"But a turkey--."

"Nobody has said that we shouldn't have a turkey on Thanksgiving--not
even Hoover." Hilda's voice was as irritating as her hands.

"Well, we have consciences, Hilda. And a turkey would choke me."

"You make so much of little things."

"Is it a little thing to sac