"Well, then, why didn't you get Mr. Allen Charter to take hold?" questioned Randy.
"He was going to take hold, but at the last minute he declined, stating that he had made up his mind to volunteer for the army."
"There was another student at that college, named Stanley Browne. He is a cousin of Colonel Colby. We were very good friends, and I thought sure that we could get him to take charge. But Browne has also gone into the United States service."
"Oh, if that isn't a shame--every one of them going in and you left behind!" grumbled Randy. "I don't think it's fair at all!"
"Well, I suppose I've got to make the best of it," answered Tom Rover. But as he spoke he heaved a mountainous sigh. This being left behind while his brothers and his best friends went to the front was going to almost break his heart.
"Well, we're off at last! Good-bye to everybody!"
The words came from Dick Rover as the last call was given for the volunteers who were going to Camp Huxton to entrain.
"Don't forget to write regularly!" came from Sam Rover.
"Oh, we'll do that--don't fear!" answered his wife Grace. "And don't you forget to answer every letter."
"And please, please, both of you be careful, and don't get hurt!" murmured Martha.
"Oh, say, Martha! don't put a wet blanket on things that way," whispered her brother. "Don't you know you have to send them away with a smile?"
"And I'm going to," she answered quickly, and then began to smile, even though the tears were forming in her pretty eyes.
"I know you will take good care of things while we are away, Tom," said Dick Rover to his brother.
"You can rest assured of that," answered Tom Rover. "Just the same, I wish I were going along."
"We may never have to go to France," put in Sam Rover. "The war may be over before that time." Yet, as he spoke, he knew in his heart that such was not likely to be the case. But he wanted to say something to ease the minds of his wife and the other womenfolks.
There were quite a number of volunteers to entrain, and friends and relatives were hurrying this way and that to see them off. Among the Rovers there was much handshaking and not a few kisses, and then Dick Rover and Sam entered the train, which, a few seconds later, glided from the station.