“Well, of course, I'd like to see America,” said the youth; and the mother's heart sank. Such a lovely safe nest she had made here, but of course he wouldn't stay in it; the last thing in the world that men wanted appeared to be safety.
“I suppose I'll have to give you up,” she said. “The cards are all stacked against a woman.”
“Don't worry, Beauty, I'll take good care of myself, and come back when the war's over. I don't think I'll want to live anywhere but here.”
“You'll meet some girl over there, and she'll tell you what to do.”
“I'm going to get tough,” replied the boy; but he didn't look it.
“I knew this had to come, Lanny. But I hoped Robbie would wait till the sea was safe.”
“Plenty of people are getting through; and he and I are pretty good swimmers.” Lanny thought for a moment, then added: “I wonder what he's going to do about telling his friends the bad news about me.”
“He told his wife about us both before they were married. I imagine he'll tell other people that you're his son, and let it go at that. Don't let it worry you.”
“If anybody doesn't want me around,” said the boy, “I can always go somewhere else. Shall you miss me too terribly, Beauty?”
“It'll be all right if I know you're happy. I ought to tell you a bit of news that I've just learned — I'm going to have a baby.”