“I do. With your father needing you, and with all the men there are who can go.”
“I don't understand. If he wants to enter the army, that's up to him, isn't it?”
There was a brief silence. Clayton found Natalie's eyes on him, uneasy, resentful.
“That's just it. I've promised mother not to, unless she gives her consent. And she won't give it.”
“I certainly will not.”
Clayton saw her appealing glance at Marion, but that young lady was lighting a cigaret, her eyelids lowered. He felt as though he were watching a play, in which he was the audience.
“It's rather a family affair, isn't it?” he asked. “Suppose we wait until we are alone. After all, there is no hurry.”
Marion looked at him, and he caught a resentment in her glance. The two glances struck fire.
“Say something, Marion,” Natalie implored her.
“I don't think my opinion is of any particular importance. As Mr. Spencer says, it's really a family matter.”