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。