Garth was twenty years old when the war began, and he was then attending the university. He first spoke of enlisting when the war had gone on a year.
"Enlist!" his mother cried, when he mentioned it to her, "I should say not--you are my only child, and I certainly did not raise you to be a soldier. There are plenty of common people to do the fighting; there are men who really like it; but I have other ambitions for you--you are to be a university man."
When the Third University Company went, he spoke of it again, but his mother held firm.
"Do you think I am going to have you sleeping in those awful trenches, with every Tom, Dick, and Harry? I tell you soldiering is a rough business, and I cannot let a boy of mine go--a boy who has had your advantages must not think of it."
"But, mother, there are lots of boys going who have had just as good advantages as I have."
Just then came in Emily Miller, the little girl from next door whose brother was going away the next day. Emily was an outspoken young lady of fourteen.
"When are you going, Garth?" she asked pointedly.
"He is not going," said his mother firmly. "His duty is at home finishing his education, and I am simply amazed at your mother for letting Robert go. Does she not believe in education? Of course I know there are not many who lay the stress on it that I do, but with me it is education first--always."
"But the war won't wait," said Emily; "my mother would be very glad to have Bob finish his education, but she's afraid it will be over then."
"War or no war, I say let the boys get their education--what is life without it?"
Emily surveyed her calmly, and then said, "What would happen to us if every mother held her boy back--what if every mother took your attitude, Mrs. Brunton?"
"You need not speculate on that, child, for they won't. Most mothers run with the popular fancy--they go with the crowd--never thinking, but I have always been peculiar, I know."
"Oh, mother, cut out that 'peculiar' business--it makes me tired!" said Garth undutifully.
When Robert Miller came in to say good-bye, he said: "You'll be lonesome, Garth, when we all go and you are left with the women and the old men--but perhaps you will enjoy being the only young man at the party."