ws what it meant to me; but I would
rather lose these two as well, than that England should not play her
part."

Bob was silent; he knew what the Admiral had in his mind, and what he
was leading up to.

"I have been thinking a good deal about you, Bob," went on the old man.
"Of course you have been almost one of the family for years; your
mother's people and mine have been friends for centuries. Ah! my lad,
let the Radicals say what they will, but it's grand to come of a good
family. You have to go a long way back in English history before you
come to the time when the Trelawneys and Tresizes were not known. They
have fought in a hundred battles for their country, and, thank God,
their descendants are ready to do it again. It is a great thing to
have a good name, eh, my boy?"

"Yes, sir," replied Bob.

"You told me some time ago that you were in the O.T.C. while you were
at Clifton College, and Dick says that you quite distinguished
yourself. I am very glad of that; I have some influence in military
quarters, although I am a naval man, and I can arrange for you to have
your commission right away. Of course it will be in a Cornish
regiment." He did not refer to the conversation which had passed
between the young men two days before, although Bob felt sure he knew
of it, but was assuming his enlistment as a matter of course.

"I have not made up my mind to join," said Bob.

"Not made up your mind to join! Then it is time you should. Every
young fellow should join in these days. Of course it will break in
upon your law studies and the other things you have in your mind, but,
God willing, we shall get all this business over in a few months, and
then you'll be able to come back to your work. You'll not suffer for
it, my boy--you'll not suffer."

"It is not that at all, sir," replied the young fellow.

"What is it, then?"

"You knew my father, sir?"

"Knew him--of course I did! A good fellow and an honest man, but, you
will excuse me for saying so, a crank."

Bob was silent; he did not dare let himself speak.

"Your father was a Quaker," went on the Admiral, "but your mother was a
Trelawney. She told me only a few days ago that if war came, hard as
it would be for her, she would not move a finger to keep you from
going, even if it meant your going to your death. Come now, I will do
all I can to push things forward for you."

"Thank you, sir," replied Bob, "but--but I have made up my mind that I