If Mr. Rushbrooke expected his somewhat flamboyant speech to awaken
enthusiastic approval, he must have been disappointed. His words were
received in grave silence. The fact of war was far too unfamiliar
and too overwhelming to make it easy for them to compass it in their
thoughts or to deal in any adequate way with its possible issues.

After some moments of silence the minister spoke. "I wish I could agree
with Mr. Rushbrooke," he said. "But I cannot. My study of this question
has impressed me with the overwhelming might of Germany's military
power. The war may be short and sharp, and that is what Germany is
counting upon. But if it be short and sharp, the issue will be a German
victory. The French army is not fully prepared, I understand. Russia is
an untrained and unwieldy mass. There is, of course, the British navy,
and with all my heart I thank God that our fleet appears to be fit for
service. But with regard even to our navy we ought to remember that
it is as yet untried in modern warfare. I confess I cannot share Mr.
Rushbrooke's optimistic views as to the war. But whether he be right
or I, one thing stands out clear in my mind--that we should prepare
ourselves to do our duty. At whatever cost to our country or to
ourselves, as individuals, this duty is laid upon us. It is the first,
the immediate, the all-absorbing duty of every man, woman and child in
Canada to make war. God help us not to shrink."

"How many in this company will be in Winnipeg this week, say to-morrow?"
inquired Mr. Murray. The hand of every business man in the company went
up. "Then suppose we call a meeting at my office immediately upon the
arrival of the train." And to this they agreed.

The Rushbrooke bonfire was an annual event and ever the most notable
of all its kind during the holiday season at the Lake. This year the
preparations for the festive gathering had exceeded those of previous
years, and Mrs. Rushbrooke's expectations of a brilliantly successful
function were proportionately high. But she had not counted upon War.
And so it came that ever as the applause following song or story died
down, the Spectre drew near, and upon even the most light-hearted of
the company a strange quiet would fall, and they would find themselves
staring into the fire forgetful of all about them, thinking of
what might be. They would have broken up early but Mrs. Rushbrooke
strenuously resisted any such attempt. But the sense of the impending
horr