"That is true, Fred," answered Jack soberly. "But a good citizen has got to be ready to do his duty, no matter what the cost."
"Oh, I know that! Just the same, this going to the front is a serious business. Even if a person isn't killed, he may come back minus an arm or a leg, or something like that."
"Well, don't you go to talking like that to Mary and Martha."
"I don't intend to. Just the same, what I said is true."
"Oh, Jack, you don't mean it! Father and Uncle Sam have really volunteered for the war!"
It was Martha Rover who spoke. She and her brother were seated in a small summerhouse attached to Clearwater Hall. Not far away sat Mary and Fred.
"It's the truth, Martha," answered Jack; "and here is the telegram that was sent. We at once went to Colonel Colby and got some particulars."
"But he may be shot down and killed!" and Martha's face grew white as she spoke.
"That's a chance every soldier takes when he goes to the front, Martha. But let us hope that dad will escape--and let us hope that Uncle Sam will escape, too."
Jack and Fred had come over early in the morning and had asked permission of Miss Garwood to see the girls on an important errand. They had left the school building under the curious eyes of Ruth and a number of their other chums.
"Well, in one way, I'm glad of this," declared Mary, her pride showing in her face. "It's exactly what I thought dad would do the minute we got into the war. I knew he wouldn't want to be thought a slacker."
"But, Mary! suppose they got killed--or even wounded?" murmured Martha.
"Martha Rover! do you want your father to hang back when he thinks it's his duty to go to the front?" demanded Mary, her eyes snapping questioningly.
"No, no!" answered her cousin quickly. "I know it's the right thing to do. Just the same, it worries me a great deal; and I know it will worry mamma, too."
"You mustn't say anything about being a slacker," admonished Jack. "If it should get to the ears of Uncle Tom, it might make him feel very bad."
"Oh, I don't put Uncle Tom down as a slacker," returned Mary quickly. "I think he is making a great sacrifice, by staying behind to keep the business together, and to serve on that Loan Committee and the Red Cross Committee."