"I hope you won't mind, Father; but I'm enlisting too."
John's voice was a light, high echo of Nicky's.
With a great effort Anthony roused himself from his contemplation of Michael's foot.
"I--can't--see--that my minding--or not minding--has anything--to do--with it."
He brought his words out slowly and with separate efforts, as if they weighed heavily on his tongue. "We've got to consider what's best for the country all round, and I doubt if either of you is called upon to go."
"Some of us have got to go," said Nicky.
"Quite so. But I don't think it ought to be you, Nicky; or John, either."
"I suppose," said Michael, "you mean it ought to be me."
"I don't mean anything of the sort. One out of four's enough."
"One out of four? Well then--"