Romayne and she had the courage to accept the
truth which as yet her father put from his mind.

Dumb they sat, unschooled in language fitted to deal with the tides of
emotion that surged round this new and overwhelming fact of war. Where
next would this dread thing strike?

"Canada will doubtless send some troops," said Dr. Brown. "We sent to
South Africa, let me see, was it five thousand?"

"More, I think, Papa," said Jane.

"We will send twice or three times that number this time," said Mr.
Murray.

And again silence fell upon them. They were each busy with the question
who would go. Swiftly their minds ran over the homes of their friends
and acquaintances.

"Well, Doctor," said Mr. Murray, with a great effort at a laugh, "you
can't send your boy at any rate."

"No," said Dr. Brown. "But if my girl had been a boy, I fear I could
not hold her. Eh, Jane?" But Jane only smiled a very doubtful smile in
answer.

"We may all have to go, Doctor," said Mr. Murray. "If the war lasts long
enough."

"Nonsense, James," said his wife with a quick glance at her two little
girls. Her boy was fifteen. Thank God, she would not have to face the
question of his duty in regard to war. "They would not be taking old men
like you, James," she added.

Mr. Murray laughed at her. "Well, hardly, I suppose, my dear," he
replied. "I rather guess we won't be allowed to share the glory this
time, Doctor."

Dr. Brown sat silent for a few moments, then said quietly, "The young
fellows, of course, will get the first chance."

"Oh, let's not talk about it," said Ethel. "Come, Jane, let's go
exploring."

Jane rose.

"And me, too," cried Isabel.

"And me," cried Helen.

Ethel hesitated. "Let them come, Ethel," said Jane. "We shall go
slowly."

An exploration of the island was always a thing of unmixed and varied
delight. There were something over twenty-five acres of wooded hills
running up to bare rocks, ravines deep in shrub and ferns, and lower
levels thick with underbrush and heavy timber. Every step of the way new
treasures disclosed themselves, ferns and grasses, shrubs and vines, and
everywhere the wood flowers, shy and sweet. Everywhere, too, on fallen
logs, on the grey rocks, and on the lower ground where the aromatic
balsams and pines stood silent and thick, were mosses, mosses of all
hues and depths. In the sunlit open spaces gorgeous butterflies and
gleaming dragon flies fluttered and darted, bees hummed, and birds s