David’s shamed face emerged into view. “I’m not,” he gulped. “She—she made me.”

“Captain!” said Mayme with a searing scorn in her voice. “Quartermaster’s Department! Safety first! When half the little fifteen-per tape-snippers in the Emporium are breakin’ their fourteen-inch necks volunteerin’ early and often to get where the fightin’ is.”

David Berthelin stood on his feet, and his pretty face wore an ugly expression.

“Let me out of here,” he growled.

“David!” said his mother. “Where are you going?”

“To enlist.”

“Davey!” It was a shriek. “You shan’t.”

“I will.”

“I won’t let you.”

“You can go to—”