"I didn't mean to hurt _you_--talking of the war--and--and the boys--when you must be thinking only of Peter." She wrung her hands together piteously.
"Of Peter!" Lady Mary repeated.
"We only heard to-day," said Mrs.Hewel, "and came in hoping for more details.

My cousin George, who is also going out with Lord Ferries, happened to mention in his letter that Peter had joined the corps." "I think I can explain how the mistake arose," said Sir Timothy, stiffly.

"Peter wrote for permission to join, and I refused.

My son is fortunately too young to be of any use in a contest I regard with horror." "But Cousin George was helping Peter to get his kit, because they were to sail at such short notice," cried Sarah.
"Sarah," said her mother, in breathless indignation, "_will_ you be silent ?" "What does this mean, Timothy ?" said Lady Mary, trembling.
She stood by the centre table; and the hanging lamp above shed its light on her brown hair, and flashed in her blue eyes, and from the diamond ring she wore.
The doctor rose from his chair.
"I am at a loss to understand," said Sir Timothy.
"It means," said Sarah, half-hysterically,--"oh, can't you see what it means?
It just means that Peter is going to South Africa, whether you like it or not." "There must be some mistake, of course," said Mrs.Hewel, in distressed tones.

"And yet--George's letter was so very clear." Dr.Blundell touched the canon's arm.
"Shall I--must I--" whispered the canon, nervously.
"There is no help for it," said the doctor.