way of getting what he wants, of keeping others from
getting what he's got, of settling difficulties and defending points
of view? Do you think he'll ever find a better way?"

"In a few thousand years--yes," Selwyn again smiled and, changing his
position, stood with his back to the fire. "When we have the same
code for nations as for individuals, the same insistence that what's
wrong in and punishable for a man is wrong in and punishable for his
country, or when we cease to think of ourselves as group people and
remember we are but parts of a whole, we may cease to be fighting
animals. Not until then, perhaps. Personally, I think war is a good
thing every now and then. That is, in the present state of our
undevelopment."

"So do I." David Guard's shoulders made energetic movement. "War
brings out every evil passion of which man is possessed, but it has
its redemptive side. It clears away befogging sophistries, delivers
from deadening indulgences and indifferences; enables us to see
ourselves, our manner of life, our methods of government, our
obligations and our injustices, in perspective that reveals what
could, perhaps, be grasped in no other way. It brings about
readjustments and reaccountings, and puts into operation new forces
of life, new conceptions of duty. It's a frightful way of making man
get a firmer grip on certain essential realizations, of taking in
more definitely the high purpose of his destiny, but at times there
seems no other way. I pray God we may keep out of this, but if it
means a stand for human rights--"

"We'll all enlist!" The faces of the men before me were sober, and
quick fear made my voice unsteady. "War may have its redemptive
side; it may at times be necessary for the preservation of honor and
the maintenance of principle, but that's because, I imagine, of our
unpreparedness as human beings to--to be the right sort of human
beings. When we are there'll be no time to kill one another. We'll
need it all to help each other. I hate war as few hate it, perhaps,
but should it come to us I'm as ready to join my army as you to join
yours." I got up and took the hand David Guard was holding out to
me. "I wish you didn't have to go. Must you?"

"Must. Got an engagement at nine-fifteen. I'll see you before the
week is out about Clara Rudd. Good night." He turned to Selwyn,
shook hands, and was gone.

In the corner of the sofa I again sat down, and Selwyn, turning off