"Yes; perhaps he hasn't quite realised that."

"I want to make sure of Cyril, Auntie; I want everything I can have
with him while there's the chance. I don't think it's much to ask, when
perhaps I'll never have any more of him again."

Thirza slipped her hand through the girl's arm.

"I understand," she said. "Only, Nollie, suppose, when all this is over,
and we breathe and live naturally once more, you found you'd made a
mistake?"

Noel shook her head. "I haven't."

"We all think that, my dear; but thousands of mistakes are made by
people who no more dream they're making them than you do now; and then
it's a very horrible business. It would be especially horrible for you;
your father believes heart and soul in marriage being for ever."

"Daddy's a darling; but I don't always believe what he believes, you
know. Besides, I'm not making a mistake, Auntie! I love Cyril ever so."

Thirza gave her waist a squeeze.

"You mustn't make a mistake. We love you too much, Nollie. I wish we had
Gratian here."

"Gratian would back me up," said Noel; "she knows what the war is. And
you ought to, Auntie. If Rex or Harry wanted to be married, I'm sure
you'd never oppose them. And they're no older than Cyril. You must