"Besides what?" asked Tom. "Look here, Polly, I gave up Alice Lister for you, and if you had been at that meeting you would see as how I couldn't do anything else."
"Do you think you might get a commission and be an officer?" asked the girl.
"I never thought about that," said Tom.
Polly hesitated a second, then she said: "Of course I'll be true to you, Tom. There, good night, I must go in."
The next morning as Tom was making his way towards the Town Hall he met Alice Lister. At first he was going to pass her by without notice, but when he saw the look on her face he stopped. She came towards him with outstretched hand.
"Tom," she said, "I've heard about last night, and it was splendid of you. I am glad you were the first. I am told that your going up in that way led scores of others to go."
"Have you heard that?" said Tom. "I never thought of it."
"I am sure you will be a good soldier, Tom. We are all proud of you, and—and we shall be thinking about you, and praying for you."
Tom laughed uneasily. "I thought you had forgotten all about me,
Alice," he said.
"Why should you think so?"