Humph！Iguesslikelyyoudidn’tsleepanytoowelllastnight，didyou？
Albertshookhishead。Nottoowell，Rachel，hereplied。
Ishouldn’twonder。Well，Idoubtiftherewastoomuchsleepanywheresinthishouselastnight。Soyou’rereallygoin’towar，areyou，Albert？
Yes。IfthewarwillletmeIcertainlyam。
Dear，dear！……Well，I——Ithinkit’swhatRobertPenfoldwouldhavedoneifhewasinyourplace。I’vebeengoin’overitandgoin’overithalfthenight，myself，andI’vecometothatconclusion。It’sgoin’tobeawfulhardonyourgrandmaandgrandfatherandmeandLabe，allusfolkshereathome，butIguessit’sthethingyou’doughttodo，thePenfoldkindofthing。
Albertsmiled。I’mgladyouthinkso，Rachel，hesaid。
Well，Ido，andifI’mgoin’totellthetruthImightaswellsayItriedterriblehardtofindsomegoodreasonsforthinkin’
’twan’t。IdidSO！ButtheonlygoodreasonsIcouldscareupformakin’youstaytohomewasbecausehomewassafeandcomf’tableandwhereyouwasgoin’wan’t。Andthatkindofreasonin’mightdofust-rateforapasselofclamsoutontheflats，butitwouldn’tbemuchcredittodecent，self-respectin’humans。WhenGeneralRollesoncametothatislandandfoundhisdaughterandRobertPenfoldlivin’thereinthathousemadeoutofpearlshe’dbuiltforher——Wan’tthathimallover！Anotherman，thecommonrunofman，wouldhavebeensatisfiedtobuildherahouseoutofwoodandluckytogetthat，butno，nothin’woulddohimbutpearls，andifthey’dhavebeendi’mondshe’dhavebeenbettersatisfied。
Well……WherewasI？……Ohyes！WhenGeneralRollesoncamethereandsaystohisdaughter，’Helen，youcomehomealongofme，’
andshesays，’No，Ishan’tleavehim，’meanin’RobertPenfold，youunderstand——WhenshesaysthatdidRobertPenfoldsay，’That’sthetalk！Putthatinyourpipe，oldman，andsmokeit？’No，SIR，hedidn’t！Hesays，’Helen，yougostraighthomealongwithyourpaandworklikefurytillyoufindoutwhoforgedthatnoteandlaiditontome。Youfindthatout，’hesays，’andthenyoucancomefetchmeandnotafore。’That’sthekindofmanHEwas！Andtheysailedoffandlefthimbehind。
Albertshookhishead。Hehadheardonlyabouthalfofthehousekeeper’sstory。Prettyroughonhim，Ishouldsay，hecommented，absently。
IGUESS’twasroughonhim，poorthing！But’twashisdutyandsohedoneit。ItwasroughonHelen，havin’togoandleavehim，but’twasrougherstillonhim。It’salwaysroughest，seemstome，
sheadded，ontheonesthat’sleftbehind。Thosethatgohavesomethin’totakeuptheirmindsandkeep’emfromthinkin’toomuch。Theonesthatstaytohomedon’thavemuchtodoEXCEPT
think。Ihopeyoudon’tgetthenotionthatIfeelyourpartofitiseasy，Al。Onlyapoor，crazyidiotcouldreadthepapersthesedaysandfeelthatanypartofthiswarwasEASY！It’sawful，but——
butitWILLkeepyoutoobusytothink，maybe。
Ishouldn’twonder，Rachel。Iunderstandwhatyoumean。
We’reallgoin’tomissyou，Albert。Thishouseisgoin’tobeaprettylonesomeplace，Ical’late。Yourgrandma’llmissyoudreadfulandsowillI，but——butIhaveanotionthatyourgrandpa’sgoin’tomissyoumore’nanybodyelse。
Heshookhishead。Oh，notasmuchasallthat，Rachel，hesaid。
HeandIhavebeengettingonmuchbetterthanweusedtoandwehavecometounderstandeachotherbetter，butheisstilldisappointedinme。I’mafraidIdon’tcountformuchasabusinessman，yousee。and，besides，GrandfathercanneverquiteforgetthatIamthesonofwhathecallsaPortygeeplayactor。
Mrs。Ellislookedathimearnestly。He’sforgettin’itbettereveryday，Albert，shesaid。IdodeclareIneverbelievedCapt’nLoteSnowcouldforgetitthewayhe’sdoin’。Andyou——
well，you’veforgotawholelot，too。Memory’sagoodthing，thelandknows，sheadded，sagely，butanicehealthyforgeteryisworthconsider’ble——sometimesandinsomecases。
IssacharPrice’scommentsonhisfellowemployee’sdecisiontobecomeasoldierwerepointed。Issywasdisgusted。
Forthundersakes，Al，hedemanded，’tain’ttruethatyou’veenlistedtogotowarandfightthemGermans，isit？
Albertsmiled。Iguessitis，Issy，hereplied。
Well，bycrimus！
Somebodyhadtogo，yousee，Is。
Well，bycrimustee！
What’sthematter，Issy？Don’tyouapprove？
Approve！No，bycrimus，Idon’tapprove！Ithinkit’sadivilofanote，that’swhatIthink。
Why？
WHY？Who’sgoin’todotheworkinthisofficewhileyou’regone？
Labeandme，that’swho。andI’lldotheheftofit。Slavin’
myselfhalftodeathas’tisandnow——Oh，bycrimustee！Thiswarisadarnednuisance。Ithadn’toughttobeallowed。There’doughttobealawagainstit。
ButofalltheinterviewswhichfollowedAlbert’sdecisionthemostsurprisingandthatwhichhewastheleastlikelytoforgetwashisinterviewwithLabanKeeler。Ittookplaceontheeveningofthethirddayfollowingtheannouncementofhisintentiontoenlist。
Allthatday，andindeedforseveraldays，Alberthadnotedinthelittlebookkeepercertainsymptoms，familiarsymptomstheywereandfromexperiencetheyoungmanknewwhattheyportended。Labanwasverynervous，hisfingerstwitchedashewrote，occasionallyherosefromhischairandwalkedupanddowntheroom，heranhishandthroughhisscantyhair，hewasinclinedtobeirritable——thatis，irritableforhim。Alberthadnotedthesymptomsandwassorry。CaptainZelotesnotedthemandfrownedandpulledhisbeard。
Al，hesaidtohisgrandson，ifyoucanputoffgoin’uptoenlistforalittlespell，afewdays，Iwishyouwould。Labe’sgettin’readytogoononeofhisvacations。
Albertnodded。I’mafraidheis，hesaid。
Oh，it’sassartinastwoandtwomakesfour。I’velivedwithhimtoomanyyearsnottoknowthesigns。AndIdidhope，headded，regretfully，thatmaybehewastryin’tobreakoff。It’sbeenagoodlongspell，anextrylongspell，sincehehadhislastspree。
Ahhum！it’sapityagoodmanshouldhavethatweakspotinhim，ain’tit？Butifyoucouldhangaroundafewmoredays，whilethevacation’sgoin’on，I’dappreciateit，Al。IkindofhatetobeleftherealonewithnobodybutIssachartoleanon。Issy’sagooddeallikeapostinsomeways，especiallyinthemakeupofhishead，buthe’stoorickettytoleanonforanylengthoftime。
ThateveningAlbertwenttothepost-officeforthemail。Onhiswaybackashepassedthedarkcornerbythenowclosedandshutteredmoving-picturetheaterhewashailedinawhisper。
Al，saidavoice，Al。
Albertturnedandpeeredintothedeepshadowofthetheaterdoorway。Inthesummerthisdoorwaywasablazeoflightandgaiety。nowitwascoldandbleakandblackenough。Fromtheshadowasmallfigureemergedontiptoe。
Al，whisperedMr。Keeler。That’syou，ain’tit？Yes，yes——yes，yes，yes——Ithought’twas，Ithoughtso。
Albertwassurprised。Foronethingitwasmostunusualtoseethelittlebookkeeperabroadafternine-thirty。Hisusualeveningprocedure，whennotonavacation，wastocalluponRachelEllisattheSnowplaceforanhourorsoandthentoreturntohisroomoverSimond’sshoestore，whichroomhehadoccupiedeversincethebuildingwaserected。
Thereheread，sopeoplesaid，untilelevensharp，whenhislampwasextinguished。Duringoratthebeginningofthevacationperiodsheusuallydepartedforsomeunknowndestination，destinationswhich，apparently，varied。Hehadbeenseen，hopelesslyintoxicated，inBayport，inOstable，inBoston，onceinProvidence。Whenhereturnedheneverseemedtorememberexactlywherehehadbeen。
And，asmostpeoplewerefondofandpitiedhim，fewquestionswereasked。
Why，Labe！exclaimedAlbert。Isthatyou？What’sthematter？
Busy，areyou，Al？queriedLaban。Inahurry，eh？Areyou？Inahurry，Al，eh？
Whyno，notespecially。
Couldyou——couldyousparemetwoorthreeminutes？Twoorthreeminutes——yes，yes？Comeuptomyroom，couldyou——couldyou，Al？
Yesindeed。Butwhatisit，Labe？
Iwanttotalk。Wanttotalk，Ido。Yes，yes，yes。SawyougobyandI’vebeenwaitin’foryou。Waitin’——yes，Ihave——yes。
Heseizedhisassistantbythearmandledhimacrosstheroadtowardtheshoestore。Albertfeltthehandonhisarmtrembleviolently。
Areyoucold，Labe？heasked。Whatmakesyoushiverso？
Eh？Cold？No，Iain’tcold——no，no，no。Come，Al，come。
Albertsniffedsuspiciously，butnoodorofalcoholrewardedthesniff。Neitherwasthereanyperfumeofpeppermint，Mr。Keeler’stransparentcamouflageatavacation’sbeginning。AndLabanwasnothummingtherefrainglorifyinghisdarlinghanky-panky。
ApparentlyhehadnotyetembarkeduponthespreewhichCaptainLotehadpronouncedimminent。Butwhydidhebehavesoqueerly？
Iain’tthewayyouthink，Al，declaredthelittleman，divininghisthought。I’mjustkindofshakyandnervous，that’sall。
That’sall，that’sall，that’sall。Yes，yes。Come，come！COME！
Thelastcomeburstfromhiminanagonyofimpatience。Alberthastenedupthenarrowstairs，Labanleadingtheway。Thelatterfumbledwithakey，hiscompanionhearditrattlingagainstthekeyholeplate。Thenthedooropened。Therewasalamp，itswickturnedlow，burninguponthetableintheroom。Mr。Keelerturneditup，makingatremblyjoboftheturning。Albertlookedabouthim。hehadneverbeeninthatroombefore。
Itwasasmallroomandtherewasnotmuchfurnitureinit。Anditwasaneatroom，fortheroomofanoldbachelorwhowashisownchambermaid。Mostthingsseemedtohaveplaceswheretheybelongedandmostofthemappearedtobeinthoseplaces。WhatimpressedAlbertevenmorewasthenumberofbooks。Therewerebookseverywhere，inthecheapbookcase，onthepineshelfbetweenthewindows，piledinthecorners，heapedonthetablebesidethelamp。
Theywerewornandshabbyvolumesforthemostpart，somewithbuthalfacoverremaining，somewithnone。Hepickeduponeofthelatter。ItwasLockeonTheHumanUnderstanding。andnextit，tohisastonishment，wasAlice’sAdventuresinWonderland。
Mr。Keelerlookedoverhisshoulderand，foraninstant，thewhimsicalsmilewhichwascharacteristicofhimcurvedhislip。
Philosophy，Al，heobserved。IfLockedon’tsuityoutrythe’madhatter’feller。Igetconsider’blecomfortoutofthehatter，myself。Doyourememberwhenthemousewastellin’thestoryaboutthethreesistersthatlivedinthewell？HesaidtheylivedoneverythingthatbeganwithM。Alicesays’WhywithanM？’Andthehatter，ortheMarchhare，Iforgetwhich’twas，saysprompt，’Whynot？’……Yes，yes，whynot？that’swhathesaid……There’ssomephilosophyinthat，Al。Whydoesahengoacrosstheroad？
Whynot？WhyisLabeKeeleradisgracetoallhisfriendsandthetownhelivesin？Whynot？……Eh？……Yes，yes。That’sit——
whynot？
Hesmiledagain，buttherewasbitternessandnothumorinthesmile。Albertputahandonhisshoulder。
Why，Labe，heasked，inconcern，whatisit？
Labanturnedaway。
Don’tmind，me，Al，hesaid，hurriedly。Imeandon’tmindifI
actfunny。I’m——I’mkindof——of——Oh，goodLordA’mighty，DON’T
lookatmelikethat！……Ibegyourpardon，Al。Ididn’tmeantobarklikeadogatyou。No，Ididn’t——no，no。Forgiveme，willyou？Willyou，Al，eh？
OfcourseIwill。Butwhatisthematter，Labe？Sitdownandtellmeaboutit。
Insteadofsittingthelittlebookkeeperbegantowalkupanddown。
Don’tmindme，Al，hesaid，hurriedly。Don’tmindme。Letmegomyowngait。Myowngait——yes，yes。Yousee，Al，I——I’mtryin’
toenlist，sameasyou’regoin’todo，and——andMYfight’sbegunalready。Yesindeed——yes，yes——ithasso。
Albertwasmoreastonishedthanever。Therewasnosmellofalcohol，andKeelerhaddeclaredthathehadnotbeendrinking。
but——
You’regoingtoENLIST？repeatedAlbert。YOU？Why，Labe，what——
Labanlaughednervously。NottokilltheKaiser，hereplied。
No，no，notthat——notexactly。I’dliketo，onlyIwouldn’tbemuchhelpthatway。But——butAl，I——Iwanttodosomethin’。I——
I’dliketotrytoshow——I’dliketobeanAmerican，adecentAmerican，andthebestwaytobegin，seemstome，istotryandbeaman，adecentman。Eh？Youunderstand，I——I——Oh，Lord，whatamessIammakin’ofthis！I——I——Al，turninganddesperatelywavinghishands，I’mgoin’totrytoswearoff。Willyouhelpme？
Albert’sanswerwasenthusiastic。YoubetIwill！heexclaimed。
Keelersmiledpathetically。
It’sgoin’tobesomejob，Ical’late，hesaid。Somejob，yes，yes。ButI’mgoin’totryit，Al。Ireadinthepapers’totherdaythatAmericaneededeveryman。Thenyouenlisted，Al，——oryou’regoin’toenlist。Itsetmetothinkin’I’dtrytoenlist，too。Forthedurationofthewar，eh？Yes，yes。
Goodforyou，Labe！Bully！
Labanheldupaprotestinghand。Don’thurrahyet，Al，hesaid。
Thisain’tthefirsttimeI’vetriedit。I’vesworeoffadozentimesinthelastfifteenyears。I’vepromisedRachelandbrokethepromiseoverandoveragain。Brokemypromisetoher，thebestwomanintheworld。ShowswhatIam，whatsortIam，don’tit，Al？
Yes，itdoes，——yes，yes。Andshe’sstuckbyme，too，Lordknowswhy。LasttimeIbrokeitIsaidI’dneverpromiseheragain。Badenoughtobeacommondrunkwithoutbein’aliar——yes，yes。Butthisisalittledifferent。Seemstome——seemsso。
Hebeganhispacingupanddownagain。
Seemsdifferent，somehow，hewenton。Seemslikeanewchance。
Iwanttodosomethin’forUncleSam。I——I’dliketotryandenlistforthedurationofthewar——swearoffforthatlong，anyhow。Then，maybe，I’dbeabletokeeponforlife，youknow——
durationofLabeKeeler，eh？Yes，yes，yes。ButIcouldbeginforjustthewar，couldn’tI？Maybe，’twouldfoolmeintothinkin’
thatwaseasier。
Ofcourse，Labe。It’sagoodidea。
Maybe。andmaybeit’safoolone。ButI’mgoin’totryit。IAM
tryin’it，havebeenallday。
Hepaused，drewashakinghandacrosshisforeheadandthenasked，Al，willyouhelpme？Iaskedyouupherehopin’youwould。Willyou，Al，eh？Willyou？
Albertcouldnotunderstandhowhecouldpossiblyhelpanothermankeepthepledge，buthispromisewaseagerlygiven。
Certainly，Labe，hesaid。
Thanks……thankyou，Al……Andnowwillyoudosomethingforme——afavor？
Gladly。Whatisit？
Labandidnotansweratonce。Heappearedtobeonthepointofdoingso，buttobestrugglingeithertofindwordsortoovercomeatremendousreluctance。Whenhedidspeakthewordscameinaburst。
Godownstairs，hecried。Downthosestairsyoucameup。Atthefootof’em，inakindofcupboardplace，under’em，there’s——
thereprobablyisajug，afulljug。Itwasduetocomebyexpressto-dayandIcal’lateitdid，cal’lateJimYoungfetcheditdownthisafternoon。I——Icouldhavelookedformyselfandseenif’twasthere，headded，afteramomentaryhesitation，but——butI
didn’tdareto。IwasafraidI’d——I’d——
Allright，Labe。Iunderstand。Whatdoyouwantmetodowithitifitisthere？
Iwantyou——Iwantyouto——to——Thelittlebookkeeperseemedtobefightinganotherinternalbattlebetweeninclinationandresolution。Thelatterwon，forhefinishedwith，Iwantyoutotakeitoutbackofthebuildin’and——andemptyit。That’swhatI
wantyoutodo，emptyit，Al，everydrop……And，fortheAlmighty’ssake，goquick，heordered，desperately，orI’lltellyounottobeforeyoustart。Go！
Albertwent。Hefumbledinthecupboardunderthestairs，foundthejug——alargeoneandheavy——andhastenedoutintothenightwithitinhishands。Behindtheshoestore，amidaheapofoldpackingboxesandotherrubbish，heemptiedit。Theprocesswasratherlengthyanddecidedlyfragrant。Asafinishhesmashedthejugwithastone。Thenheclimbedthestairsagain。
Labanwaswaitingforhim，dropsofperspirationuponhisforehead。
Was——wasitthere？hedemanded。
Albertnodded。
Yes，yes。’Twasthere，eh？Anddidyou——didyou——？
Yes，Idid，jugandall。
Thankyou，Al……thankyou……I——I’vebeentryingtomusterupspunkenoughtodoitmyself，but——butIswanIcouldn’t。I
didn’tdasttogonighit……I’mafinespecimen，ain’tI，now？headded，withatwistedsmile。Somecoward，eh？Yes，yes。
Somecoward。
Albert，realizingalittleofthefightthemanwasmaking，wasaffectedbyit。You’reabrick，Labe，hedeclared，heartily。
Andasforbeingacoward——Well，ifIamhalfasbravewhenmyturncomesIshallbesatisfied。
Labanshookhishead。Idon’tknowhowscaredI’dbeofaGermanbombshell，hesaid，butI’meverlastin’sureIwouldn’trunfromitforfearofrunnin’towardsit，andthat’showIfeltaboutthatjug……Yes，yes，yes。Ididso……I’mmuchobligedtoyou，Al。Ishan’tforgetit——no，no。Ical’lateyoucantrotalonghomenow，ifyouwantto。I’mprettysafe——forto-night，anyhow。Guesslikelythenewrecruitwon’tdesertaforemorning。
ButAlbert，watchinghimintently，refusedtogo。
I’mgoingtostayforawhile，Labe，hesaid。I’mnotabitsleepy，really。Let’shaveasmokeandtalktogether。Thatis，ofcourse，unlessyouwanttogotobed。
Mr。Keelersmiledhistwistedsmile。Iain’tcrazyto，hesaid。
ThewayIfeelnowI’dgettosleepaboutweekafternext。ButI
hadn’toughttokeepyouup，Al。
Rubbish！I’mnotsleepy，Itellyou。Sitdown。Haveacigar。
Nowwhatshallwetalkabout？Howwouldbooksdo？Whathaveyoubeenreadinglately，Labe？
Theysmokedandtalkedbooksuntilnearlytwo。ThenLabaninsisteduponhisguestdeparting。I’mallright，Alhedeclared，earnestly。Iamhonest——yes，yes，Iam。I’llgotosleeplikealamb，yesindeed。
You’llbeattheofficeinthemorning，won’tyou，Labe？
Thelittlebookkeepernodded。I’llbethere，hesaid。Gottoanswerrollcallthefirstmornin’afterenlistment。Yes，yes。
I’llbethere，Al。
Hewasthere，buthedidnotlookasifhisindulgenceinthelamb-
likesleephadbeenexcessive。Hewassopaleandhaggardthathisassistantwasalarmed。
You’renotsick，areyou，Labe？heasked，anxiously。Labanshookhishead。
No，hesaid。No，Iain’tsick。Beendoin’picketdutyupanddowntheroomsincehalfpastthree，that’sall。Um-hm，that’sall。Say，Al，ifGeneralwhat’s-his-name——er——vonHindenburg——isanyharderscrapperthanoldFieldMarshalBarleycornhe’saprettytoughone。Say，Al，youdidn’tsayanythingabout——aboutmy——er——
enlistin’toCap’nLote，didyou？Imeanttoaskyounotto。
Ididn’t，Labe。Ithoughtyoumightwantitkeptasecret。
Um-hm。Betterkeepitintheranksuntilweknowhowthisfirst——
er——skirmishiscomin’out。Yes，yes。Betterkeepitthatway。
Um-hm。
Alldayhestuckmanfullyathistaskandthatevening，immediatelyaftersupper，Albertwenttotheroomovertheshoestore，foundhimthereandinsisteduponhiscomingovertocalluponRachel。
Hehadnotintendeddoingso。
Yousee，Al，heexplained，I’m——I’mkindof——er——shakyandRachelwillbeworried，I’mafraid。Sheknowsmeprettywellandshe’llcal’lateI’mjustgettin’readyto——tobustlooseagain。
Albertinterrupted。No，shewon’t，Laban，hesaid。We’llshowherthatyou’renot。
Youwon’tsayanythingtoheraboutmy——er——enlistin’，Al？Don’t。
No，no。I’vepromisedhertoomanytimes——andbrokethepromises。
IfanythingshouldcomeofthisfightofmineI’drathershe’dfinditoutforherself。Bettertosurpriseherthantodisapp’inther。
Yes，yes，lotsbetter。
AlbertpromisednottotellRachelandsoLabanmadehiscall。
Whenitwasovertheyoungmanwalkedhomewithhimandthepairsatandtalkeduntilaftermidnight，justasonthepreviousnight。
Thefollowingeveningitwasmuchthesame，exceptthat，asMr。
Keelerpronouncedhimselfmorethanusuallyshakyandexpressedadesiretokeepmovin’，theywalkedhalfwaytoOrhamandbackbeforeparting。BytheendoftheweekLabandeclaredthefightwon——forthetime。
You’vepulledmethroughthefusttussle，Al，hesaid。Ishan’tdesertnow，nottillthenextbreak-out，anyhow。Ical’lateit’llgetmeharderthaneverthen。Harderthanever——yes，yes。Andyouwon’tbeheretohelpme，neither。
Nevermind。Ishallbethinkingofyou，Labe。AndIknowyou’regoingtowin。Ifeelitinmybones。
Um-hm……Yes，yes，yes……Inyourbones，eh？Well，MY
bonesdon’tseemtofeelmuch，exceptrheumaticsonceinawhile。
Ihopeyoursarebetterprophets，butIwouldn’twanttobettoohighonit。No，Iwouldn’t——no，no。However，we’lldoourbest，andtheysayangelscan’tdoanymore——thoughthey’dprobablydoitinadifferentway……somedifferent……Um-hm……Yes，indeed。
TwoletterscametoAlbertbeforethatweekended。ThefirstwasfromMadeline。Hehadwrittenherofhisintentiontoenlistandthiswasherreply。Theletterhadevidentlybeensmuggledpastthecensor，foritcontainedmuchwhichMrs。Fosdickwouldhaveblue-penciled。Itscontentswereablendofpraiseandblame，ofexaltationanddepression。Hewasahero，andsobrave，andshewassoproudofhim。Itwaswonderfulhisdaringtogo，andjustwhatshewouldhaveexpectedofherhero。Ifonlyshemightseehiminhisuniform。Somanyofthefellowssheknewhadenlisted。
Theywerewonderfullybrave，too，althoughofcoursenothinglikeaswonderfulasherownetcetera，etcetera。ShehadseensomeofTHEMintheiruniformsandtheywerePERFECTLYSPLENDID。Buttheywereofficers，ortheyweregoingtobe。Whywasn’thegoingtobeanofficer？Itwassomuchnicertobeanofficer。Andifhewereonehemightnothavetogoawaytofightnearlysosoon。Officersstayedherelongerandstudied，youknow。Motherhadsaidsomethingaboutacommonprivate，andshedidnotlikeit。Butnevermind，shewouldbejustasproudnomatterwhathewas。Andsheshoulddreamofhimandthinkofhimalwaysandalways。Andperhapshemightbesobraveandwonderfulthathewouldbegivenoneofthosewarcrosses，theCroixdeGuerreorsomething。Shewassurehewould。Butoh，nomatterwhathappened，hemustnotgowhereitwasTOOdangerous。Supposeheshouldbewounded。Oh，suppose，SUPPOSEheshouldbekilled。Whatwouldshedothen？
Whatwouldbecomeofher？MUSThego，afterall？Couldn’thestayathomeandstudyorsomething，forawhile，youknow？Sheshouldbesolonelyafterhewasgone。Andsofrightenedandsoanxious。
Andhewouldn’tforgether，wouldhe，nomatterwherehewent？
Becauseshenever，never，neverwouldforgethimforamoment。Andhemustwriteeveryday。And——
Theletterwasfourteenpageslong。
Theotherletterwasasurprise。ItwasfromHelen。TheReverendMr。KendallhadbeentoldofAlbert’sintendedenlistmentandhadwrittenhisdaughter。
Soyouaregoingintothewar，Albertshewrote。IamnotsurprisedbecauseIexpectedyouwoulddojustthat。Itiswhatallofuswouldliketodo，I’msure，andyouwerealwaysanxioustogo，evenbeforetheUnitedStatescamein。SoIamwritingthismerelytocongratulateyouandtowishyoutheverybestofgoodluck。Fathersaysyouarenotgoingtotryforacommissionbutintendenlistingasaprivate。Isupposethatisbecauseyouthinkyoumaygettotheactualfightingsooner。IthinkIunderstandandappreciatethatfeelingtoo，butareyousureitisthebestplan？Youwanttobeofthegreatestservicetothecountryandwithyoureducationandbrains——ThisISN’Tflattery，becauseitistrue——don’tyouthinkyoumighthelpmoreifyouwereincommandofmen？OfcourseIdon’tknow，beingonlyagirl，butIhavebeenwondering。Nodoubtyouknowbestandprobablyitissettledbeforethis。atanyrate，pleasedon’tthinkthatIintendbuttingin。Buttinginisnotatallaproperexpressionforaschoolmarmtousebutitisarelieftobehumanoccasionally。
WhateveryoudoIamsurewillbetherightthingandIknowallyourfriendsaregoingtobevery，veryproudofyou。Ishallhearofyouthroughthepeopleathome，Iknow，andIshallbeanxioustohear。Idon’tknowwhatIshalldotohelpthecause，butI
hopetodosomething。AmusketisprohibitivetofemalesbuttheknittingneedleisoursandICANhandlethat，ifIdosayit。AndIMAYgoinforRedCrossworkaltogether。ButIdon’tcountmuch，andyoumendo，andthisisyourday。Please，forthesakeofyourgrandparentsandallyourfriends，don’ttakeunnecessarychances。
IcanseeyourfaceasyoureadthatandthinkthatIamasillyidiot。I’mnotandImeanwhatIsay。YouseeIknowYOUandI
knowyouwillnotbecontenttodotheordinarything。Wewantyoutodistinguishyourself，butalsowewantyoutocomebackwholeandsound，ifitispossible。Weshallthinkofyouagreatdeal。
Andplease，inthemidstoftheexcitementoftheBIGworkyouaredoing，don’tforgetushomefolk，includingyourfriend，HELENKENDALL。
Albert’sfeelingswhenhereadthisletterweredivided。HeenjoyedhearingfromHelen。Theletterwasjustlikeherself，sensibleandgood-humoredandfriendly。TherewerenohystericsinitandnoheroicsbutheknewthatnooneexcepthisgrandparentsandRachelandLaban——and，ofcourse，hisownMadeline——wouldthinkofhimoftenerorbemoreanxiousforhissafetyandwelfarethanHelen。Hewasgladshewashisfriend，veryglad。Buthealmostwishedshehadnotwritten。Hefeltabitguiltyathavingreceivedtheletter。HewasprettysurethatMadelinewouldnotliketheidea。Hewastemptedtosaynothingconcerningitinhisnextlettertohisaffianced，butthatseemedunderhandedandcowardly，sohetoldher。AndinhernextlettertohimMadelinemadenoreferenceatalltoHelenorherepistle，soheknewshewasdispleased。Andhewasmiserableinconsequence。
Buthismiserydidnotlastlong。Thehappeningswhichfollowedcrowdeditfromhismind，andfromMadeline’salso，forthatmatter。Onemorning，havingtoldnooneexcepthisgrandfatherofhisintention，hetookthemorningtraintoBoston。WhenhereturnedthenextdayhewasUncleSam’sman，sworninandaccepted。Hehadpassedthephysicalexaminationwithflyingcolorsandtherecruitingofficersexpressedthemselvesasbeinggladtogethim。Hewashomeforbutonedayleave，thenhemustgotostay。Hehaddebatedthequestionofgoinginforacommission，butthoseweretheearlydaysofourparticipationinthewarandaPlattsburgtrainingoratleastsomesortofmilitaryeducationwasalmostanessential。Hedidnotwanttowait。ashehadtoldhisgrandfather，hewantedtofight。Soheenlistedasaprivate。
AndwhenthebriefleavewasoverhetookthetrainforBoston，nolongerAlbertoMiguelCarlosSperanza，SouthHarniss’sBeauBrummel，poetandPortygee，butPrivateSperanza，U。S。A。Thefarewellswerebriefandnoonecried——much。Hisgrandmotherhuggedandkissedhim，Rachellookedverymuchasifshewantedto。
LabanandIssacharshookhandswithhim。
Goodlucktoyou，boy，saidMr。Keeler。Alltheluckthereis。
Sametoyou，oldman，repliedAlbert。Then，inalowertone，headded，We’llfightitouttogether，eh？
We’lltry。Yes，yes。We’lltry。Solong，Al。
Issacharstruckthereassuringnote。Don’tfretaboutthingsintheoffice，hesaid。I’lllookoutfor’emlong’sIkeepmyhealth。
Besureandkeepthat，Issy。
Youbetyou！Onlythingthat’sliabletobreakitdownisover-
work。
CaptainZelotessaidverylittle。Writeuswhenyoucan，Al，hesaid。Andcomehomewheneveryougetleave。
Youmaybesureofthat，Grandfather。AndafterIgettocampperhapsyoucancomeandseeme。
Maybeso。WillifIcan……Well，Al，I……I……Goodlucktoyou，son。
Thankyou，Grandfather。
Theyshookhands。Eachlookedasiftherewasmorehewouldhavelikedtosaybutfoundthesayinghard。Thentheenginebellrangandthehandsfellapart。Thelittlegrouponthestationplatformwatchedthetraindisappear。Mrs。SnowandRachelwipedtheireyeswiththeirhandkerchiefs。CaptainZelotesgentlypattedhiswife’sshoulder。
Theteam’swaitin’，Mother，hesaid。Labe’lldriveyouandRachelhome。
But——butain’tyoucomin’，too，Zelotes？falteredOlive。Herhusbandshookhishead。
Notnow，Mother，heanswered。Gottogobacktotheoffice。
Hestoodforaninstantlookingatthefaintsmearofsmokeabovethecurveinthetrack。Then，withoutanotherword，hestrodeoffinthedirectionofZ。SnowandCo。’sbuildings。IssacharPricesniffed。
Crimus，hewhisperedtoLaban，asthelatterpassedhimonthewaytowhereJessamine，theSnowhorse，wastied，theoldmantakesitcool，don’the！Ikindofimaginedhe’dbesortofshookupbyAl’sgoin’offtowar，buthedon’tseemtofeelitamite。
Keelerlookedathiminwonder。Thenhedrewalongbreath。
Is，hesaid，slowly，itisamightygoodthingfortheSevenWiseMenofGreecethattheyain’talivenow。
ItwasIssachar’sturntostare。Eh？hequeried。TheSevenWiseMenofWhich？Goodthingfor’emtheyain’talive？Whatkindoftalk’sthat？Whyisitagoodthing？
Labanspokeoverhisshoulder。Because，hedrawled，iftheywasalivenowthey’dbesojealousofyouthey’dcommitsuicide。Yes，theywould……Yes，yes。
WithwhichenigmaticalremarkheleftMr。PriceandturnedhisattentiontothetetheredJessamine。
Andthenbegananewperiod，anewlifeattheSnowplaceandintheofficeofZ。SnowandCo。Or，rather，lifeintheoldhouseandatthelumberandhardwareofficeslumpedbackintothegrooveinwhichithadrunbeforetheoperasinger’ssonwassummonedfromtheNewYorkschooltothehomeandintothelivesofhisgrandparents。Threepeopleinsteadoffoursatdownatthebreakfasttableandatdinnerandatsupper。CaptainZeloteswalkedalonetoandfromtheoffice。OliveSnownolongerbakedandicedlargechocolatelayercakesbecauseacertaininmateofherhouseholdwassofondofthem。RachelEllisdiscussedFoulPlayandRobertPenfoldwithnoone。Thehousewasemptier，moreold-fashionedandbehindthetimes，morelonely——surprisinglyemptyandbehindthetimesandlonely。
Thedailymailsbecamemattersofintenseinterestandexpectation。
Albertwroteregularlyandofcoursewellandentertainingly。Hedescribedthelifeatthecampwhereheandtheotherrecruitsweretraining，acampvastlydifferentfromtheenormousmilitarytownsbuiltlateronforhousingandtrainingthedraftedmen。Helikedthelifeprettywell，hewrote，althoughitwashardandafellowhadpreciouslittleopportunitytobelazy。Mistakes，too，wereunprofitableforthemaker。CaptainLote’seyetwinkledwhenhereadthat。
Lateronhewrotethathehadbeenmadeacorporalandhisgrandmother，towhomamajorgeneralandacorporalwereofequalrank，rejoicedmuchbothathomeandinchurchaftermeetingwasoverandfriendscametohearthenews。Mrs。Ellisdeclaredherselfnotsurprised。ItwastheRobertPenfoldinhimcomingout，soshesaid。
AmonthortwolateroneofAlbert’sletterscontainedaninterestingitemofnews。Inthelittlesparetimewhichmilitarylifeaffordedhimhecontinuedtowriteverseandstories。NowaNewYorkpublisher，notoneofthemostprominentbutareputableandenterprisingone，hadwrittenhimsuggestingthecollectingofhispoemsandtheirpublicationinbookform。Thepoethimselfwas，naturally，elated。
Isn’titsplendid！hewrote。Thebestpartofit，ofcourse，isthatheaskedtopublish，Ididnotaskhim。Pleasesendmemyscrapbookandallloosemanuscript。WhenthebookwillcomeoutI’msureIdon’tknow。Infactitmaynevercomeout，wehavenotgottenasfarastermsandcontractsyet，butIfeelweshall。
Sendthescrapbookandmanuscriptrightaway，PLEASE。
Theyweresent。InhisnextletterAlbertwasstillenthusiastic。
Ihavebeenlookingovermystuff，hewrote，andsomeofitisprettygood，ifyoudon’tmindmysayingso。TellGrandfatherthatwhenthisbookofmineisoutandsellingImaybeabletoshowhimthatpoetrymakingisn’tapauper’sjob，afterall。OfcourseI
don’tknowhowmuchitwillsell——perhapsnotmorethanfiveortenthousandatfirst——butevenattenthousandat，say，twenty-fivecentsroyaltyeach，wouldbetwenty-fivehundreddollars，andthat’ssomething。Why，BenHur，thenovel，youknow，hassoldamillion，Ibelieve。
Mrs。SnowandRachelweredulyimpressedbythisprophecyofaffluence，butCaptainZelotesstillplayedtheskeptic。
Amillionattwenty-fivecentsapiece！exclaimedOlive。Why，Zelotes，that’s——that’sanawfulsightofmoney。
Mentalarithmeticfailingher，shesettoworkwithapencilandpaperandafterastrenuousstruggletriumphantlyannouncedthatitcametotwohundredandfiftythousanddollars。
Mysoulandbody！shecried。TwohundredandfiftythousandDOLLARS！MySOUL，Zelotes！Suppose——onlysupposeAlbert’sbookbroughthiminasmuchasthat！
Herhusbandshookhishead。Ican’t，Olive，hesaid，withoutlookingupfromhisnewspaper。Mysupposerwouldn’tstandthestrain。
Butitmight，Zelotes，itMIGHT。Supposeitdid，whatwouldyousaythen？
ThecaptainregardedheroverthetopoftheTranscript。I
shouldn’tsayaword，Olive，heanswered，solemnly。Ishouldbedownsickbythetimeitgotupasfarasathousand，andanythingpasttwothousandyoucouldusetobuymytombstonewith……
There，there，Mother，headded，noticingthehurtlookonherface，don’tfeelbad。I’monlyjokin’。OneofthesedaysAl’sgoin’tomakeanice，comf’tablelivin’sellin’lumberandhardwarerighthereinSouthHarniss。IcanSEEthatmoneyintheoffin’。
Allthismillionortwothat’scomin’frompoetryandsuchisoutofsightinthefog。Itmaybetherebut——humph！well，IKNOW
whereZ。SnowandCo。islocated。
Olivewasnotentirelyplacated。ImustsayIthinkyou’reawfuldiscouragin’tothepoorboy，Zelotes，shesaid。Herhusbandputdownhispaper。
No，no，Iain’t，Mother，hereplied，earnestly。AtleastI
don’tmeantobe。WayIlookatit，thispoetry-makin’andwritin’
yarnsandthatsortofstuffisjustpartoftheyoungster’s——er——
growin’up，asyoumightsay。Givehimtimehe’llgrowoutofit，sameasIcal’latehewilloutofthisgirlbusiness，this——er——
Madel——humph——er——ahem……Lookslikeagooddayto-morrow，don’tit。
Hepulledupsuddenly，andwithconsiderableconfusion。Hehadkeptthenewsofhisgrandson’sinfatuationandengagementevenfromhiswife。NooneinSouthHarnissknewofit，nooneexceptthecaptain。HelenKendallknew，butshewasinBoston。
RachelEllispickedupthehalfknittedRedCrossmitteninherlap。Well，Idon’tknowwhetherhe’srightoryouare，Cap’nLote，shesaid，withasigh，butthisIdoknow——Iwishthisawfulwarwasoverandhewasbackhomeagain。
Thatremarkendedtheconversation。Oliveresumedherownknitting，seeingitbutindistinctly。Herhusbanddidnotcontinuehisnewspaperreading。Insteadheroseand，sayingsomethingaboutcal’latin’hewouldgoforalittlewalkbeforeturningin，wentoutintotheyard。
Butthewardidnotend，itwenton。sotoodidtheenlistingandtraining。IntheearlysummerAlbertcamehomeforatwodays’
leave。Hewasbroaderandstraighterandbrowner。Hisuniformbecamehimand，morethanever，theeyesofSouthHarniss’syouthfulfemininity，nativeorimported，followedhimashewalkedthevillagestreets。Buttheglanceswerenotreturned，notinkind，thatis。ThenewFosdickhome，althoughcompleted，wasnotoccupied。Mrs。Fosdickhad，thatsummer，decidedthatherdutiesasmoveringoodnessknowshowmanywarworkactivitiespreventedhertakingherusualsummerrest。InsteadsheandMadelineoccupiedarentedvillaatGreenwich，Connecticut，comingintotownformeetingsofallsorts。CaptainZeloteshadhisownsuspicionsastowhetherwarworkalonewasthecauseoftheFosdicks’
shunningofwhatwastohavebeentheirsummerhome，buthekeptthosesuspicionstohimself。Albertmayhavesuspectedalso，buthe，too，saidnothing。ThecensoredcorrespondencebetweenGreenwichandthetrainingcamptraveledregularly，andSouthHarnissdamselslookedandlongedinvain。Hesawthem，hebowedtothem，heevenaddressedthempleasantlyandcharmingly，buttohimtheyweremerelyincidentsinhiswalkstoandfromthepost-
office。Inhismind’seyehesawbutone，andshe，alas，wasnotpresentintheflesh。
Thenhereturnedtothecampwhere，lateron，CaptainZelotesandOlivevisitedhim。Astheycameawaythecaptainandhisgrandsonexchangedafewsignificantwords。
Itislikelytobealmostanytime，Grandfather，saidAlbert，quietly。Theyarebeginningtosendthemnow，asyouknowbythepapers，andwehavehadthetipthatourturnwillbesoon。So——
CaptainLotegraspedthesignificanceoftheuncompletedsentence。
Isee，Al，heanswered，Isee。Well，boy，I——I——Goodluck。
Goodluck，Grandfather。
Thatwasall，thatandonemorehandclasp。OurAnglo-Saxoninheritancedescendsuponusintimeslikethese。Thecaptainwassilentformostoftheridetotherailroadstation。
Thenfollowedalong，significantintervalduringwhichtherewerenolettersfromtheyoungsoldier。AfterthisashortreassuringcablegramfromSomewhereinFrance。Safe。Well，itreadandOliveSnowcarrieditaboutwithher，inthebosomofhergown，allthatafternoonandputituponretiringonherbureautopsothatshemightseeitthefirstthinginthemorning。
Anotherlonginterval，thenletters，thereassuringbutsotantalizinglyunsatisfactorylettersweAmericanfamilieswere，justatthattime，beginningtoreceive。Readingthenewspapersnowhadapersonalinterest，aterrifying，dreadfulinterest。Thenthepackingandsendingofholidayboxes，overthecontentsofwhichOliveandRachelspentmuchcarefulplanningandanxiouspreparation。Thenanotherintervalofmoreletters，letterswhichhintedvaguelyatbigthingsjustahead。
Thennoletterformorethanamonth。
Andthen，onenoon，asCaptainZelotesreturnedtohisdeskafterthewalkfromhomeanddinner，LabanKeelercameinandstoodbesidethatdesk。
Thecaptain，lookingup，sawthelittlebookkeeper’sface。Whatisit，Labe？heasked，sharply。
Labanheldayellowenvelopeinhishand。
Itcamewhileyouweregonetodinner，Cap’n，hesaid。BenKelleyfetcheditfromthetelegraphofficehimself。He——hesaidhedidn’thardlywanttotakeittothehouse。Hecal’latedyou’dbetterhaveithere，toreadtoyourself，fust。That’swhathesaid——yes，yes——that’swhat’twas，Cap’n。
SlowlyCaptainZelotesextendedhishandfortheenvelope。Hedidnottakehiseyesfromthebookkeeper’sface。
Ben——Ben，hetoldmewhatwasinit，Cap’nLote，falteredLaban。
I——Idon’tknowwhattosaytoyou，Idon’t——no，no。
WithoutawordthecaptaintooktheenvelopefromKeeler’sfingers，andtoreitopen。Hereadthewordsupontheformwithin。
Labanleanedforward。
FortheLordsakes，LoteSnow，hecried，inaburstofagony，whycouldn’tithavebeensomedarngood-for-nothin’likemeinstead——insteadofhim？Oh，myGodA’mighty，whataworldthisis！WHATaworld！
StillCaptainZelotessaidnothing。Hiseyeswerefixedupontheyellowsheetofpaperonthedeskbeforehim。Afteralongminutehespoke。
Well，hesaid，veryslowly，well，Labe，theregoes——theregoesZ。SnowandCompany。
CHAPTERXIV
ThetelegramfromtheWarDepartmentwasbrief，asallsuchtelegramswereperforceobligedtobe。TheSecretaryofWar，throughhisrepresentative，regrettedtoinformCaptainZelotesSnowthatSergeantAlbertSperanzahadbeenkilledinactionuponacertainday。Itwasenough，however——forthetimequiteenough。
ItwasnotuntillaterthatthelittlegroupofSouthHarnissrecoveredsufficientlyfromthestunningeffectofthosefewwordstothinkofseekingparticulars。Albertwasdead。whatdiditmatter，then，toknowhowhedied？
Oliveboretheshocksurprisinglywell。Herhusband’sfearsforherseemedquiteunnecessary。TheCaptain，knowinghowshehadidolizedherdaughter’sboy，haddreadedtheeffectwhichthenewsmighthaveuponher。Shewasbrokendownbyit，itistrue，butshewasquietandbrave——astonishingly，wonderfullyquietandbrave。Anditwasshe，ratherthanherhusband，whoplayedthepartofthecomforterinthoseblackhours。
He’sgone，Zelotes，shesaid。Itdon’tseempossible，Iknow，buthe’sgone。Andhedieddoin’hisduty，sameashewouldhavewantedtodieifhe’dknown’twascomin’，poorboy。So——sowemustdoours，Isuppose，andbearupunderittheverybestwecan。Itwon’tbeverylong，Zelotes，sheadded。We’rebothgettin’old。
CaptainLotemadenoreply。Hewasstandingbythewindowofthesitting-roomlookingoutintothewetbackyardacrosswhichthewind-drivenrainwasbeatinginstormygusts。
Wemustbebrave，Zelotes，whisperedOlive，tremulously。He’dwantustobeandweMUSTbe。
Heputhisarmaboutherinasuddenheatofadmiration。I’dbeashamednottobeafterseein’you，Mother，heexclaimed。
HewentouttothebarnafewmomentslaterandRachel，enteringthesitting-room，foundOlivecrumpleddowninthebigrockerinanagonyofgrief。
Oh，don’t，Mrs。Snow，don’t，shebegged，thetearsstreamingdownherowncheeks。Youmustn’tgivewaytoitlikethis。youmustn’t。
Olivenodded。
Iknowit，Iknowit，sheadmitted，chokingly，wipinghereyeswithasoakedhandkerchief。Ishan’t，Rachel，onlythisonce，I
promiseyou。YouseeIcan’t。Ijustcan’tonZelotes’saccount。
I’vegottobearupforhissake。
Thehousekeeperwassurprisedandalittleindignant。
Forhissake！sherepeated。Formercysakeswhyforhissake？
Isitanyworseforhimthan’tisforyou。
Oh，yes，yes，lotsworse。Hewon’tsaymuch，ofcourse，bein’
ZelotesSnow，butyouandIknowhowhe’splanned，especiallytheselastyears，andhowhe’sbeguntocounton——onAlbert……No，no，Iain’tgoin’tocry，Rachel，Iain’t——IWON’T——butsayin’hisname，youknow，kindof——
Iknow，Iknow。Landsakes，DON’TIknow！Ain’tIdoin’itmyself？
Courseyouare，Rachel。Butwemustn’twhenZelotesisaround。
Wewomen，we——well，timeslikethesewomenHAVEtokeepup。Whatwouldbecomeofthemenifwedidn’t？
SosheandRachelkeptupinpublicandwhenthecaptainwaspresent，andheforhispartmadenoshowofgriefnoraskedforpity。Hewassilent，talkedlittleandtothecallerswhocameeitheratthehouseorofficewasuncomplaining。
Hediedlikeaman，hetoldtheReverendMr。Kendallwhenthelattercalled。Hetookhischance，knowin’whatthatmeant——
Hewasgladtotakeit，interruptedtheminister。Proudandgladtotakeit。
Sartin。Whynot？Wouldn’tyouorIhavebeengladtotakeours，ifwecould？
Well，CaptainSnow，Iamgladtofindyousoresigned。
CaptainZeloteslookedathim。Resigned？herepeated。Whatdoyoumeanbyresigned？Nottositaroundandwhimperisonething——
anydecentmanorwomanoughttobeabletodothatinthesedays。
butifbybein’resignedyoumeanI’mcontentedtohaveitso——
well，you’remistaken，that’sall。
Onlyononeoccasion，andthentoLabanKeeler，didheopenhisshellsufficientlytogiveaglimpseofwhatwasinside。Labanenteredtheinnerofficethatmorningtofindhisemployersittinginthedeskchair，bothhandsjammedinhistrousers’pocketsandhisgazefixed，apparently，upontherowofpigeon-holes。Whenthebookkeeperspoketohimheseemedtowakefromadream，forhestartedandlookedup。
Cap’nLote，beganKeeler，I’msorrytobotheryou，butthatlastcarloadofpinewas——
CaptainZeloteswavedhishand，brushingthecarloadofpineoutoftheconversation。
Labe，hesaid，slowly，diditseemtoyouthatIwastoohardonhim？
Labandidnotunderstand。Hardonhim？herepeated。Idon’tknow’sIjustget——
HardonAl。DiditseemtoyouasifIwasalittletoomuchofthebuckomatetotheboy？DidIdrivehimtoohard？WasI
unreasonable？
Theanswerwasprompt。No，Cap’nLote，repliedKeeler。
Youmeanthat？……Um-hm……Well，sometimesseemsasifI
mighthavebeen。Yousee，Labe，whenhefirstcomeI——Well，I
cal’lateIwasconsider’bleprejudicedagainsthim。Accountofhisfather，youunderstand。
Sartin。Sure。Iunderstand。
IttookmeagoodwhiletogetreconciledtothePortygeestreakinhim。Itchafedmeconsider’bletothinktherewasaforeignstreakinourfamily。TheSnowshavebeenstraightYankeeforagoodlongwhile……Factis，I——Inevergotreallyreconciledtoit。Ikeptbein’fearfulallthetimethatthatstreak，hisfather’sstreak，wouldbreakoutinhim。Itneverdid，exceptofcourseinhispoetryandthatsortoffoolishness，butIwasalwaysscared’twould，yousee。Andnow——nowthatthishashappenedI——I
kindoffretforfearthatImayhaveletmynotionsgetaheadofmyfairplay。YouthinkIdidgivetheboyasquaredeal，Labe？
Surething，Cap’n。
I’mgladofthat……And——andyoucal’latehewasn’t——wasn’ttooprejudicedagainstme？Idon’tmeanalongatfirst，Imeanthislastyearortwo。
Labanhesitated。Hewishedhisanswertobenotanoverstatement，buttheexacttruth。
Ithink，hesaid，withemphasis，thatAlwascomin’tounderstandyoubettereverydayhelived，Cap’n。Yes，andtothinkmoreandmoreofyou，too。Hewasgettin’older，foronething——older，moreofaman——yes，yes。
CaptainZelotessmiledsadly。Hewasmoreboythanmanbyagooddealyet，heobserved。Well，Labe，he’sgoneandI’mjustbeginnin’torealizehowmuchoflifeformehasgonealongwithhim。He’dbeendoin’betterhereintheofficeforthelasttwoorthreeyears，seemedtobecatchin’ontobusinessbetter。Didn’tyouthinkso，Labe？
Sartin。Yesindeed。Fust-rate，fust-rate。
No，notfirst-rate。Hewasalongwaysfromabusinessmanyet，butIdidthinkhewasdoin’alotbetter。Icouldbegintoseehimpilotin’thiscraftafterIwascalledashore。Nowhe’sgoneand……well，Idon’tseemuchuseinmyfightin’tokeepitafloat。I’mgettin’alonginyears——andwhat’stheuse？
ItwasthefirsttimeLabanhadeverheardCaptainZelotesrefertohimselfasanoldman。Itshockedhimintosharpexpostulation。
Nonsense！heexclaimed。Youain’toldenoughforthescrapheapbyabigstretch。Andbesides，hemadehisfight，didn’the？Hedidn’tquit，Aldidn’t，andhewouldn’twantusto。Nosir-ee，hewouldn’t！No，sir，no！……I——Ihopeyou’llexcuseme，Cap’nLote。I——declareitmustseemtoyouasifIwastalkin’prettyfresh。IswanI’msorry。Iamso……sorry。yes，yes，Ibe。
Thecaptainwasnotoffended。Hewavedtheapologiesaside。
Soyouthinkit’sworthwhilemyfightin’itout，doyou，Labe？
heasked，reflectively。
I——Ithinkit’swhatyououghttodoanyhow，whetherit’sworthwhileornot。Thewholeworld’sfightin’。UncleSam’sfightin’。
Alwasfightin’。You’refightin’。I’mfightin’。It’sadarnsighteasiertoquit，adarnsight，but——butAldidn’tquit。And——
andwemustn’t——notifwecanhelpit，headded，drawingahandacrosshisforehead。
HisagitationseemedtosurpriseCaptainZelotes。Soallhandsarefightin’，arethey，Labe，heobserved。Well，Ipresumelikelythere’ssometruthinthat。What’syourparticularfight，forinstance？
Thelittlebookkeeperlookedathimforaninstantbeforereplying。
Thecaptain’squestionwaskindlyasked，buttherewas，orsoLabanimagined，thefaintesttraceofsarcasminitstone。Thattracedecidedhim。Heleanedacrossthedesk。
Myparticularfight？herepeated。You——youwanttoknowwhat’tis，Cap’nLote？Allright，allright，I’lltellyou。
Andwithoutwaitingforfurtherquestioningandwith，forhim，surprisinglyfewrepetitions，hetoldofhisenlistmenttofightJohnBarleycornforthedurationofthewar。CaptainZeloteslistenedtotheveryendinsilence。LabanmoppedhisforeheadwithahandwhichshookmuchasithaddoneduringtheinterviewwithAlbertintheroomabovetheshoestore。
There——there，hedeclared，inconclusion，that’smyfight，Cap’nLote。AlandI，we——wekindofwentintoittogether，asyoumightsay，thoughhisenlistin’wasconsider’blemoreheroicthanmine——
yesindeed，Ishouldsayso……yes，yes，yes。ButI’mfightin’
too……er……I’mfightin’too。
CaptainZelotespulledhisbeard。
How’sthefightgoin’，Labe？heasked，quietly。
Well——well，it’skindof——kindofspotty，asyoumightsay。
There’sspotswhenIgetalongfairlysmoothandotherswhen——well，whenit’sprettyroughgoin’。I’vehadfourhardspotssinceAlwentaway，butthere’stwothatwasthehardest。OnewasalongChristmasandNewYeartime。youknowI’mostgenerallyhadoneofmy——er——spellsalongaboutthen。Andt’otherisjustnow。Imeansincewegotwordabout——aboutAl。Idon’tsupposelikelyyousurmisedit，Cap’n，but——butI’dcometothinkalotofthatboy——
yes，Ihad。Seemsfunnytoyou，Idon’tdoubt，butit’sso。Andsincethewordcome，youknow——I——I——well，I’vehadsomefight，somefight。I——Idon’tcal’lateI’vesleptmore’nfourhoursinthelastfournights——notmore’nthat，no。Walkin’helpsmemost，seemsso。LastnightIwalkedtoWestOrham。
ToWestOrham！YouWALKEDthere？LastNIGHT？
Um-hm。Long’sIcankeepwalkin’I——Iseemtopartwayforget——toforgetthestuff，youknow。WhenI’maloneinmyroomIgo’mostcrazy——prettynighloony……Butthere！Idon’tknowwhyIgottotalkin’likethistoyou，Cap’nLote。You’vegotyourtroublesand——
Holdon，Labe。DoesRachelknowaboutyourfight？
No。No，no。CourseshemustnoticehowlongI’vebeen——beenstraight，butIhaven’ttoldher。IwanttobesureI’mgoin’towinbeforeItellher。She’sbeendisappointedtimesenoughbefore，poorwoman……There，Cap’nLote，don’tlet’stalkaboutitanymore。Pleasedon’tgetthenotionthatI’maskin’forpityoranythinglikethat。Anddon’tthinkI’mcomparin’whatI
callmyfighttotherealonelikeAl’s。There’snothin’muchheroicaboutme，eh？No，no，Iguessnot。Tellthattolookatme，eh？
CaptainZelotesroseandlaidhisbighandonhisbookkeeper’sshoulder。
Don’tyoubelieveit，Labe，hesaid。I’mproudofyou……
And，Ideclare，I’mashamedofmyself……Humph！……Well，to-nightyoucomehomewithmeandhavesupperatthehouse。
Now，now，Cap’nLote——
YoudoasItellyou。Aftersupper，ifthere’sanywalkin’tobedone——ifyoutakeanotiontofrogittoOrhamorSanFranciscoorsomewheres——maybeI’llgowithyou。Walkin’maybegoodformyfight，too。youcan’ttelltillyoutry……There，don’targue，Labe。I’mskipperofthiscraftyetandyou’llobeymyorders。
d’youhear？
ThedayfollowingthereceiptofthefatefultelegramthecaptainwroteabriefnotetoFletcherFosdick。Adayortwolaterhereceivedareply。Fosdick’sletterwaskindlyanddeeplysympathetic。Hehadbeengreatlyshockedandgrievedbythenews。
YoungSperanzaseemedtome，hewroteinmyoneshortinterviewwithhim，tobeafineyoungfellow。Madeline，poorgirl，isalmostfrantic。Shewillrecoverbyandby，recoveryiseasieratherage，butitwillbevery，veryhardforyouandMrs。Snow。YouandIlittlethoughtwhenwediscussedtheproblemofouryoungpeoplethatitwouldbesolvedinthisway。Toyouandyourwifemysincerestsympathy。Whenyouhearparticularsconcerningyourgrandson’sdeath，pleasewriteme。Madelineisanxioustoknowandkeepsaskingforthem。Mrs。Fosdickistoomuchconcernedwithherdaughter’shealthtowritejustnow，butshejoinsmeinsympatheticregards。
CaptainZelotestookMrs。Fosdick’ssympathywithagrainofsalt。
Whenheshowedthislettertohiswifehe，forthefirsttime，toldheroftheengagement，explainingthathisprevioussilencehadbeenduetoAlbert’srequestthattheaffairbekeptasecretforthepresent。Olive，eveninthedepthofhersorrow，wasgreatlyimpressedbythegrandeurofthealliance。
Justthink，Zelotes，sheexclaimed，theFosdickgirl——andourAlbertengagedtomarryher！Why，theFosdicksareawfulrich，everybodysaysso。Mrs。FosdickisheadofIdon’tknowhowmanysocietiesandclubsandthingsinNewYork。hernameisinthepaperalmosteveryday，soanotherNewYorkwomantoldmeatRedCrossmeetin’lastsummer。AndMr。Fosdickhasbeeninpolitics，wayupinpolitics。
Um-hm。Well，he’sreformedlately，Iunderstand，sowemustn’tholdthatagainsthim。
Why，Zelotes，whatDOyoumean？Howcanyoutalkso？JustthinkwhatitwouldhavemeanttohaveourAlbertmarryagirllikeMadelineFosdick。
Thecaptainputhisarmaboutherandgentlypattedhershoulder。
There，there，Mother，hesaid，gently，don’tletthatpartofitfretyou。
But，Zelotes，tearfully，Idon’tunderstand。ItwouldhavebeensuchagreatthingforAlbert。
Wouldit？Well，maybe。Anyhow，there’snouseworryin’aboutitnow。It’sdonewith——endedanddonewith……sameasagoodmanyotherplansthat’sbeenmadeintheworld。
Zelotes，don’tspeaklikethat，dear，sodiscouraged。Itmakesmefeelworsethanevertohearyou。And——andhewouldn’twantyouto，I’msure。
Wouldn’the？No，Ical’lateyou’reright，Mother。We’lltrynotto。
Otherletterscame，includingonefromHelen。Itwasnotlong。
Mrs。Snowwasalittleinclinedtofeelhurtatitsbrevity。Herhusband，however，didnotsharethisfeeling。
Haveyoureaditcarefully，Mother？heasked。
OfcourseIhave，Zelotes。Whatdoyoumean？
Imean——well，Itellyou，Mother，I’vereaditthreetime。ThefirsttimeIwaslikeyou。seemedtomeasgoodafriendofAlandofusasHelenKendalloughttohavewrittenmorethanthat。ThesecondtimeIreaditIbeguntowonderif——if——
Ifwhat，Zelotes？
Oh，nothin’，Mother，nothin’。Shesaysshe’scomin’toseeusjustassoonasshecangetawayforadayortwo。She’llcome，andwhenshedoesIcal’latebothyouandIaregoin’tobesatisfied。
Butwhydidn’tsheWRITEmore，Zelotes？That’swhatIcan’tunderstand。