"I haven't said much about it to other people, but my father is far from well this spring. I notice this in little things, and he depends so on me that I hesitate about taking a step that will lead to my leaving home just now."
"It is often hard to choose between two duties," said Pamela; "but I believe the general rule is to choose the nearest, and in this case that is evidently your father."
"Where have you been all the evening, Philip? I have looked everywhere for you." Edith's voice had an unwonted note of irritation.
"Why, Edith, child, aren't you having a good time?"
"Oh, I don't know; I've had to listen to such a lot of stuff from Belle, and I haven't seen half the people I promised to meet."
"There, there, child, I know how you feel; Belle has been talking too much, but I will take care of you," and Philip pulled Edith's arm within his own. "A big brother is useful sometimes," he added, for he saw that Edith was a little perturbed. A moment later Nora joined the group, followed by Julia and Tom Hearst, and soon Brenda joined them.
"Why, here we have almost all the old crowd," exclaimed Tom. "If only Will were here—"
"And Ruth; you mustn't forget her."
"Indeed, no, and I dare say that he is thinking of us. I fancy that at this present moment he is just wild to be on this side of the world. With his exalted ideas of patriotism, it must be torture to him that he isn't on hand when there's fighting to be done."
"It seems to me that your sword hasn't been brandished very fiercely, at least, since the President's proclamation."