the morning.

"I think we'll have to make up our minds not to play many games
for the time that is coming. There is real work ahead of us if
war comes -- work just as real and just as hard, in its way, as if
we were all going to fight for England. Everyone cannot fight,
but the ones who stay at home and do the work that comes to their
hands will serve England just as loyally as if they were on the
firing line. Now up, all of you! Three cheers for King George!"

They were given with a will -- and Harry Fleming joined in as
heartily as any of them. He was as much of an American as he had
ever been, but something in him responded with a strange thrill to
England's need, as Grenfel had expressed it. After all, England
had been and was the mother country. England and America had
fought, in their time, and America had won, but now, for a hundred
years, there had been peace between them. And he and these
English boys were of the same blood and the same language, binding
them very closely together. "Blood is thicker than water, after
all!" he thought.

Then every scout there shook hands with John Grenfel. He smiled
as he greeted them.

"I hope this will pass over," he said, "and that we'll do together
during this vacation all the things we've planned to do. But if
we can't, and if I'm called away, good-bye! Do your duty as
scouts, and I'll know it somehow! And, in case I don't see you
again, good-bye!"