you blame me?"

"My dear fellow; she had no right to ask it."

"But having asked--?"

"It is a moving letter, and you loved her--but I still contend she had
no right to ask."

"I gave my sacred word."

"I question whether any promise should stand between a man and his
country's need of him."

They faced each other. "I wonder--" Derry said, "I--I must think it
over, Doctor."

"Give yourself a chance if you do. We can go too far in our sacrifice
for others--." He resumed his brisk professional manner. "In the
meantime you've a rather sick old gentleman on your hands. You'd
better get a nurse."




CHAPTER VII

HILDA

The argument came up at breakfast two days before Thanksgiving. It was