"I, too, have not looked at a newspaper since then, Graydon," she said simply. He smiled wearily and there was response in her eyes.
He took her hand in his and they sat silently side by side on the bench for half an hour, their thoughts far away but of one another.
"Graydon," she said at last, "are you going to remain in the army?"
"No, I am through with it. My discharge is to be recommended. I'm disabled."
"You will be as strong as ever, dear."
"Do you want me to stick to the army? I am only a private."
"You can do greater things out in the world, I know. You will be a great man if you don't lose heart, Graydon."
"I can't be a soldier, dear, and support a wife on the pay I get," he said with a smile.
"You shouldn't marry," "But I am going to marry," he said.
"I have decided to become a nurse. It is my intention to give my whole life to---"
"The Red Cross?"
"No. The hospitals at home--the hospitals for the poor and homeless."
Ethel Harbin was coming through the grounds toward them. Her face was clouded by a dark frown and she was visibly excited.
"It's all off," she announced as she came up.
"Where is the usual hero?" asked Graydon.
"I'm through with the real army. They've dismissed me. That is father and mother have. They are driving me into the Salvation Army," she exclaimed, seating herself beside Graydon. "I wish I were Jane and my own mistress."
"Dear me, Ethel, what an ambition!" said Jane. "What has happened to upset you so?"
"Father has."
"I should have asked who, not what."
"I suppose they expect me to marry a Salvation Army man. They say Harry isn't good enough. I think he is a very moral young man."
"Harry? Who is Harry?"
"Why, haven't you heard? Harry Soper. I'm engaged to him."
"The lieutenant?"
"Certainly. He's going to be promoted, though, if he ever gets on the firing line. It's not his fault that he has to do duty in the walled city. He's aching to get out and fight. But father---" Here she paused, her lips coming together with a firmness that boded ill.
"Colonel Harbin doesn't approve?"
"No--he says Harry is a 'little pup.' It's outrageous, Jane."
"Don't cry, dear. The world is full of men."
"Not for me," said Ethel dolefully. "I've picked Harry out of a hundred or more and I think my discrimination ought to be considered. I'm the one to be satisfied. Father has no---"
"But how about that young fellow back in New York? You used to say he was the only one."