course I felt a little upset when I realised that Alick
had really gone on active service. But I know how he
would have felt being left behind."

Then, rather to her visitor's discomfiture, Mrs.
Guthrie turned the subject away from her son, and
from what was going on in France. She talked determinedly
of quite other things -- though even then
she could not help going very near the subject.

"I understand," she exclaimed, "that Lady Bethune
is giving up her garden-party tomorrow! I'm told
she feels that it would be wrong to be merrymaking
while some of our men and officers may be fighting
and dying. But I quite disagree, and I'm sure, my
dear, that you do too. Of course it is the duty of the
women of England, at such a time as this, to carry on
their social duties exactly as usual."

"I can't quite make up my mind about that," replied
her visitor slowly.

When Mrs. Otway rose to go, the old lady suddenly
softened. "You'll come again soon, won't you?" she
said eagerly. "Though I never saw two people more
unlike, still, in a curious kind of way, you remind me
of Alick! That must be because you and he are such
friends. I suppose he wrote to you before leaving
England?" She looked rather sharply out of her still
bright blue eyes at the woman now standing before
her.

Mrs. Otway shook her head. "No, Major Guthrie
did not write to me before leaving England."

"Ah, well, he was very busy, and my son's the sort
of man who always chooses to do his duty before he
takes his pleasure. He can write quite a good letter
when he takes the trouble."

[[178]]

p177 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p178w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p179

v?