"Yes: now he has two boys."
"Then his family must feel very anxious about him?"
"He is not anxious," replied the lad. "To die in battle is very honorable; and the Government will care for the families of those who are killed. So our officers have no fear. Only—it is very sad to die if one has no son."
"I cannot see why."
"Is it not so in the West?"
"On the contrary, we think it is very sad for the man to die who has children."
"But why?"
"Every good father must be anxious about the future of his children. If he be taken suddenly away from them, they may have to suffer many sorrows."
"It is not so in the families of our officers. The relations care well for the child, and the Government gives a pension. So the father need not be afraid. But to die is sorrowful for one who has no child."
"Do you mean sorrowful for the wife and the rest of the family?"