motionless, eyes and attention glued upon the magnificent spectacle of a
thousand men, running, advancing, retreating, attacking, all in obedience
to one great plan.

They forgot it was only a sham attack, an imitation battle, an exhibition
drill. For the moment a curtain had been lifted and they were permitted to
see something of the glory, the passion, the horror of democracy's
struggle against the armed autocracy of the world.

When it was over they sighed and came back to the present almost with a
shock; so greatly had they been engrossed in the scene.

"Well, Sergeant Mullins may not be much of a talker," were Mollie's first
words as they rose to go back, "but he certainly knows how to act!"

"It was wonderful!" breathed Betty, her eyes gleaming. "Just think what it
must be to be a man in these times! To be able to fight for one's
country!"

"Well, I don't know," said Amy, with a little shudder. "That part of it's
all right. But when it comes to being maimed and crippled for life it
isn't so much fun."

"Oh, Amy, don't!" cried Grace, clapping her hands to her ears, while Betty
continued spiritedly:

"I didn't say it was fun," she cried. "Naturally the boys have to take
into consideration the possibility of all that you said, Amy. But there's
no glory in the world like giving yourself for a great cause--"