THE MYSTERY SOLVED It was impossible for me to speak.

Twice I endeavored, but no sound came from my parched lips, and I think my eyes must have filled with tears, her dear face was so blurred and indistinct.

She must have understood, for she drew my head down upon her shoulder, pressing back the matted hair with one hand.
"My poor boy!" she whispered sobbingly.

"My poor boy!" "And you--you are injured ?" I managed to ask with supreme effort.
"No, not physically--but the horror of it; the thought of you in midst of that awful fighting! Oh, I never knew before what fiends men can become.

This has taught me to hate war," and she hid her face against my cheek.