A low moan came from Virginia’s lips.
The mother was silent. Her eyes were fixed on the rigid figure of her boy with hungry, desperate yearning.
The Colonel caught the look of anguish and felt for a moment the pull of its tragedy. He too had a mother.
He turned to her and spoke in friendly tones:
“Madam, your son is of the stuff that makes heroes. I’m going to spare his life—”
“Thank God—“ she sobbed.
“On one condition—I want him in the service of the Emperor. Frederick the Great called thousands of conquered foes to the colors—they made good. If he will take off his cap and give three cheers for the Emperor—I will place him on my staff and he shall live to find new paths of glory.”
Billy smiled.
His mother, Virginia, Marya and Zonia pressed close and pleaded that he yield.
His mother held him in her arms in a long, desperate embrace.