"Did you tell Mr. Edward to go?"
"No."
"Ah! He wanted to go, and you didn't raise a finger to prevent him. If you had, maybe he'd have stayed."
"I—I don't think so."
The Parson's voice was not too steady. How sorely he had been tempted to raise that finger none would ever know. Fancy went on, breathlessly:
"Molly and me thinks that those who can least be spared may have to go, if—if the others hold back."
"I see. You are thinking of your Alfred?"
He lowered his hand, looking straight at her.
"If you please, sir. He be terrible put out at the others hanging back."
"I give my opinion for what it is worth, Fancy. In these deep matters none can speak for another. I do not presume to speak for Alfred. But Lord Kitchener, if he were here, would assure you that Alfred is certainly not needed yet, nor likely to be for a long time."