\"SurelyIwill。You’llbeallright，oldboy，Godblessyou！Goodluck，Ewen！\"
Thenleaningovertheboy，headdedinalowvoice，\"Rememberyouarenotallalone。Godiswithyou。Youwon’tforgetthat！\"
\"Iwon’t，sir。Iknowitwell，\"saidEwenearnestly。
Mostofthestretchercaseshadbeenhurriedaway。Onlyafewofthemoreseriouslywoundedremained。AsBarryturnedawayfromthecar，hesawthemedicalofficerandsergeantmajorapproachinghim。
\"Aterriblebusiness，\"saidBarry，inahorror—strickenvoice。
\"Splendidchaps。Howpluckytheyare！\"
TheM。O。madenoreply，butcomingclosetoBarry，heputhisarmthroughhis，thesergeantmajortakinghimbytheotherarm。
\"Isay，Barry，oldchap，\"saidtheM。O。inagravevoice，callinghimforthefirsttimebyhisfirstname。\"Thereissomeoneherethatyouknowwell。\"
\"SomeoneIknow，\"saidBarry，standingstillandlookingfromonetotheother。
\"Ay，sir。Someoneweallknowandgreatlyrespect，\"repliedthesergeantmajor。
\"Not——not——oh，notmyfather！\"
TheM。O。nodded。
\"Bad，doctor？Notdying，doctor？\"Hisfacewaswhiteeveninspiteofhistan。Hishandsclosedaboutthedoctor’sarminagripthatreachedtothebone。
\"No，notdying，Barry，butinabadway，Ifear。\"
\"Takeme，\"mutteredBarry，inadazedway，andtheymovedtogetherrapidlyacrosstheplatform。
\"Waitamoment，doctor，\"saidBarry，breathinghard。
Theystoodstill，asilentandsympatheticgroupofsoldiersaboutthem。Barryturnedfromthem，walkedafewsteps，hisclaspedhandswrithingbeforehim，thenstoodwithhisfaceupliftedtotheskyforafewmoments。
\"Allright，doctor，I’llfollow，\"hesaid，comingquietlyback。
\"Willheknowme？\"
\"Surething，sir，\"saidthesergeantmajorcheerily。\"Hewasaskingforyou。\"
Onastretcher，waitingtobeliftedintotheambulance，hefoundhisfather，lyingwhiteandstill。
\"Dad！\"criedBarry，droppingtohiskneesbesidehim。Heputhisarmsaroundhimonthestretcher，andkissedhimonbothcheeksandonthelips。Theyalldrewbackfromthestretcherandturnedtheirbacksuponthetwo。
\"Barry，myboy。ThankthegoodGod！IfearedIwouldnotseeyou。
It’sallrightnow。Everythingisallrightnow。Ican’tputmyarmsaroundyou，boy。Ihaven’tanyleft。\"
Barry’sshuddershookthestretcher。
\"Dad，dad，oh，dad！\"hewhispered，overandoveragain。
\"It’sallright，\"whisperedhisfather。\"Wemustnotforgetwe’resoldiers。Helpmetokeepup，boy。I’mnotverystrong。\"
ThatpitifulworddidforBarrywhatnothingelsecoulddo。Heliftedhishead，stoodupanddrewadeepbreath。
\"Surething，dad，\"hesaid，inaclear，steadyvoice。\"Imustn’tkeepyou。\"
Hemotionedtothebearers。Thensuddenlyrecollectingthathisdutywouldcallhimawayfromhisfather，heturnedtotheM。O。，anagonyofsupplicationinhisvoice。
\"Oh，doctor，mustIleavehimhere？\"heaskedinalowtone。
Justthenanorderlycamerunninguptohim，and，saluting，said：
\"Sir，theCommandingOfficersaysyouaretoremainbehindwithyourfather——till——till——\"
\"Untilyouaresentfor，\"saidtheM。O。\"Iwillseetothat。\"
\"Where’stheCommandingOfficer？\"criedBarry，startingforward。
\"Hehasgoneoffsomewheres，sir。Hewassorryhecouldn’tcomehimself，buthewascalledaway。Hesentthatmessagetoyou。\"
\"Doctor，willyouremembertothanktheCommandingOfficerforme？\"hesaidbriefly，andturnedtofollowhisfatherintotheambulance，whichhediscoveredtobeinchargeofhisfriend，thesergeantoftheR。A。M。C。
Atthehospitalhewasreceivedwitheverymarkofsolicitouscare。
Hewasmadetofeelthathewasamongfriends。
\"Howlong，doctor？\"heasked，afterthedoctorhadfinishedhisexamination。
\"Notlong，I’mafraid。Afewhours，perhapsaday。Hewillnotsufferthough，\"saidthedoctor。\"But，\"headded，takingBarrybythearm，\"heisveryweak，remember，andmustnotbeexcited。\"
\"Iknow，doctor，\"saidBarry，quietly。\"Iwon’tworryhim。\"
ThroughthemorningBarrysatbyhisfather’scot，givinghim，underthedirectionsofthenurse，suchstimulantsasheneeded，nowandthenspeakingaquiet，cheeryword。
Oftenhisfatheropenedhiseyesandsmiledathim。
\"Goodtoseeyouthere，myboy。Thatwasmyonlygrief。IfearedImightnotseeyouagain。ThankthegoodGodthatheallowedmetoseeyou。\"
\"Heisgood，dad，isn’tHe？Goodtome；goodtousboth。\"
\"Yes，Heisgood，\"saidhisfather，andfellasleep。Foralmosttwohoursheslept，asleepofexhaustion，duetotheterrificstrainofthepastforty—eighthours，andwokerefreshed，calmandstrong。
\"Youarealotbetter，dad，\"saidBarry。\"Ibelieveyouaregoingtopullthrough，eh！\"
\"Alotbetter，Barry，\"saidhisfather，\"but，myboy，wearesoldiers，youandI。Ishallnotbelong，butremember，wearesoldiers。\"
\"Allright，dad。I’lltrytoplaythegame。\"
\"That’stheword，Barry。Wemustplaythegame，andbyGod’sgracewewill，youandI——ourlastgametogether。\"
Throughtheafternoontheytalked，betweenintervalsofsleep，resolvedeachtohelptheotherinplayingtotheend，inthemannerofBritishsoldiers，thatlast，greatgame。
Theytalked，ofcourse，ofhomeandtheirhappydaystogether，goingfarbackintotheearlieryearsofstruggleontheranch。
\"Harddays，Barry，theywere，butyourmotherneverfailedme。
Wonderfulcourageshehad，andifwewereallright，youandI，Barry，shewasalwayshappy。Doyourememberher？\"
\"Yes，dad，quitewell。Irememberhersmilingalways。\"
\"Smiling，myGod！Smilingthroughthosedays。Yes，that’sthewaysheplayedthegame，andthat’stheonlyway，boy。\"
\"Yes，dad，\"saidBarry，andhissmilewasbrighterthanever，buthisknucklesshowedwhitewherehegrippedthechair。
Thenursecameandwent，wonderingattheirbrightfacesandtheircheeryvoices。Theykepttheirmindsupontheoldhappydays。
Theyrecalledtheircanoetrips，theirhuntingexperiences，dwellingmostlyuponthehumorousincidents，playingthegame。Ofthewartheyspokelittle；notatallofwhatwastobeafter——thepast，thegolden，happypast，richinloveandincomradeship，thatwastheironetheme。
Asnightfell，thefathergrewweary，andhisperiodsofsleepgrewlonger，buteverashewokehefoundhisson’sfacesmilingdownuponhim。
\"Goodboy，Barry，\"hesaidonce，withanunderstandinglookandanansweringsmile。\"Don’ttrytoohard，myboy。\"
\"It’sallright，dad。Iassureyouit’sallright。Youknowitis。\"
\"Iknow，Iknow，myboy，\"hesaid，andfellasleepagain。
Asthemidnighthourdrewon，Barry’shead，fromsheerweariness，sunkuponhisbreast。Inhissleephebecameawareofsomeonenearhim。Hesatup，dazedandstupidfromhisexhaustionandhisgrief，andfoundanurseathisside。
\"Takethis，\"shesaidsoftly。\"Youwillneedit。\"Shesetatrayathisside。
\"Oh，thankyou，no！\"hesaid。\"Ican’teat。Ican’ttouchanything。\"
\"Youneedit，\"saidthenurse。\"Youmusttakeit，forhissake，youknow。Hewillneedyou。\"
Hervoicearousedhim。Heglancedatherface。
\"Oh，it’syou！\"hecried。
ItwasthelittleV。A。D。
\"Don’trise，\"shesaid，puttingherhandonhisshoulder，andpointingtohisfather。\"Drinkthisfirst。\"Shehandedhimaneggnog。\"Nowtakeyourtea。\"Therewasaquietauthorityaboutherthatcompelledobedience。Heateinsilencewhileshestoodbesidehim。Hewastoowearyandtoosickathearttotalk，buthegraduallybecameawarethattheoverpoweringsenseoflonelinessthathadbeenwithhimalldaywasgone。
Whenhehadfinishedhisslightmeal，hewhisperedtoher：
\"IwishIcouldthankyou，butIcan’t。Ididneedit。Youhavehelpedmegreatly。\"
\"Youarebetternow，\"shesaidsoftly。\"It’svery，veryhardforyou，sofarfromhome，andfromallyourfriends。\"
\"Thereisnooneelse，\"saidBarrysimply。\"Wehavenoonebutjustourselves。\"
Atthispointhisfatheropenedhiseyesbrightandverywide—
awake。
TheV。A。D。begantogatheruptheteathings。Barryputouthishandandtouchedherarm。
\"Dad，thisisyournightnurse。Shewasverykindtomelastnight，andagainto—night。ThisisMissVincent。\"
ThebrightnessoftheV。A。D。’ssmileoutshonehisown。
\"I’mnotarealnurse，\"shesaid。\"I’monlyaV。A。D。，youknow。
Theyusemetowashthefloorsanddishes，andforallsortsofoddjobs。To—nighttheyareshorthanded，andhaveputmeonthisduty。\"
Whileshewasspeaking，shecontinuedtosmile，asmileofradiantcheerandcourage。
Thewoundedmanlistenedgravelytoher，hiseyessearchingherface，hereyes，herverysoul，itseemedtoher。Inspiteofherexperienceandherself—control，shefeltherfaceflushingunderhissearchinggaze。
\"Mydear，\"hesaidatlength，\"Iamgladtomeetyou。Youareagoodandbravegirl，Iknow。\"Hiseyesfellupontheblackbanduponherarm。\"Iseeyouarewearingthebadgeofheroism。Mydear，pardonme，youhavethesamelook——Barry，shehasyourdearmother’slook，notsobeautiful——youwillforgiveme，mydear——butthesamelook。Shethinksofothersandshehascouragetosuffer。
Mydear，Icannottakeyourhandsinmine，\"——heglancedwithapatheticsmileathisbandagedarms，butwithaswiftmovementofindescribablegracethegirlstoopedandkissedhimontheforehead。
\"Barry，\"hesaid，turningtohisson，\"thatwasafinecourtesy。I
countitanhonourtohaveknownyou，MissVincent。\"
Hepausedamomentortwo，hissearchingeyesstilluponherface。
\"Youwillbefriendmyboy，after——after——\"
\"Iwilltrymybest，sir，\"saidthegirl，thecolourdeepeninginhercheeksthewhile。\"Goodnight，sir，\"shesaid。\"IshallbenearathandifIamwanted。\"
\"Barry，\"saidhisfather，afterthegirlhadgone，\"thatisaverycharmingandaverysuperioryounglady，oneyouwillbegladtoknow。\"
\"Yes，dad，Iamsuresheis，\"saidBarry，andthenhetoldhisfatheroftheeventsofthepreviousnight。
Forsomemomentsafterhehadfinishedhisfatherlaywithhiseyesshut，andquitestill，andBarry，thinkingheslept，satwatching，hiseyesintentuponthefacehelovedbestinalltheworld。
Buthisfatherwasnotasleep。
\"Yes，Barry，\"hesaid，\"sheislikeyourdearmother，andnow，\"headdedhurriedly，\"IhopeyouwillnotthinkIamtakingaliberty——\"
\"Oh，dad，Iimploreyou！\"saidBarry。
\"Barry，Iwouldliketospeaktoyouaboutyourwork。\"
Barryshookhisheadsadly。
\"I’mnotmuchgood，dad，\"hesaid，\"butI’mnotgoingtoquit，\"headdedquickly，notingashadowonhisfather’sface。
\"Barry，I’mgoingtosaysomethingtoyouwhichIdohopewillnothurtyou。Iknowthecommonsoldierbetterthanyoudo，boy。OurCanadiansoldiersdonotliketoberebuked，criticisedorevenwatchedtooclosely。Forgivemethis，myboy。\"
\"Oh，dad，pleasetellmeallthatisinyourheart！\"
\"Thankyou，Barry。Theydon’tlikethechaplaintobeacensorovertheirwords。\"
\"Iloatheit，\"saidBarrypassionately。
\"Believeme，theyaregoodchapsintheirhearts。Theyswearandallthat，butthatismerelyahabitoramereexpressionofhighemotion。Yououghttohearthemasthey’goover。’Barry，letallthatpassandrememberthattheseboysaregivingtheirlives——
theirlives，Barry，forright，forconscience，andultimately，thoughitmaybeunconsciously，forGod。Barry，amanthatisgivinghislifeforGodmaysaywhathelikes。Don’tbetoohardonthem，butrecalltomind，Barry，thatwhentheygoupthelinetheyfeelterriblylonelyandterriblyafraid，andthatisatrulyawfulexperience。\"
Hepausedamomentortwo，andthenloweredhisvoiceandcontinued：
\"Barry，youwon’tbeashamedofme。Iwasterriblyafraid，myself。\"
Barrychokedbackaconvulsivesob。
\"You，dad，you！\"Helaughedscornfully。
\"Ididn’trun，Barry，thankGod！Buttheboys——myboys——theyareonlylads，manyofthem——lonelyandafraid——andtheymustgoon。
Theymustgoon。Oh，Barry，inthathourtheyneedsomeonetogowiththem。TheyneedGod。\"
Hissonwaslisteningwithhisheartinhiseyes。Hewasgettinganewviewofthesoldierandofthesoldier’sneeds。
\"Unhappily，\"continuedhisfather，\"Godisatbestashadowybeing，tomanyofthemastranger，tosomeaterror。Barry，\"hesaid，\"theyneedsomeonetotellthemthetruthaboutGod。It’snotfairtoGod，youknow。\"Hereagainhisfatherpausedandthensaidveryhumbly：\"IthinkImaysay，Barry，IknowGodnow，asIdidnotbefore。Andyouhelpedme，boy，toknowhim。\"
\"Oh，dad，\"criedBarry，passionately。\"NotI！Idon’tknowHimatall！\"
\"Letmetellyouhowyouhelpedme，Barry。BeforeIwentupthelasttime，Iwanted——\"
Hepausedabruptly，hisfaceworkingandhislipquivering。
\"Forgiveme，myboy。I’malittleweak。\"
Afewmomentsofsilenceandthenhecontinuedquietly：
\"Iwantedyou，Barry。\"
Theboy’shandswerewrithingunderhisknees，buthisfaceandeyeswerequitesteady。
\"Iwasterriblylonely。Ithoughtofthatstrange，dearbondthatheldustogether，andthenlikeaflashoutoftheskycamethosegreatwords：’Likeasafatherpitiethhischildren，’andoh，boy，boy！ItcametomethenthatasIfeeltowardmyboyGodfeelstowardme。Barry，listen——\"Hisvoicefelltoawhisper。\"IamGod’sson，asyouaremine。Therewasnomorefear，andIwasnotnearlysolonely。Telltheboys——telltheboysthetruthaboutGod。\"
Helayalongtimesilent，withhiseyesclosed，andasBarrywatchedhesawtwotearsfalldownthewhitecheeks。Itwastohimaterriblesight。Never，notevenathismother’sgrave，hadheseenhisfather’stears。Itwasmorethanhecouldendure。Heputhisfacedownbesidehisfather’sonthepillow。
\"Dad，Iunderstand，\"hewhispered。\"IknownowwhatGodislike。
Heislikeyou，dad。Hegavehimselfforus，asyou，dad，havegivenyourselfalltheseyearsforme。\"
Hewassobbing，butveryquietly。
\"Forgiveme，dad；I’mnotcrying。I’mjustthinkingaboutGodandyou。Oh，dad，youarebothwonderful！Wonderful！\"
\"Barry，myboy，tellthem。Don’tworryyourselfaboutthem。JusttellthemaboutGod。Heisresponsibleforthem，notyou。\"
\"Oh，Iwill，dad；IpromiseyouIwill。I’vebeenallwrong，butI’lltellthem。I’lltellthem。\"
\"ThankGod，myboy，\"saidhisfather，withadeepsigh。\"NowI’mtired。Say’OurFather。’\"
Togethertheywhisperedthosegreatestofwordsinhumanspeech，thosewordsthathaveboundheaventoearthinyearningandinhopeforthesetwothousandyears。
\"Don’tmove，Barry，\"whisperedhisfather。\"Ilikeyouthere。\"
Withtheirfacesthustogethertheyfellasleep。
Barrywasawakenedbyhisfather’svoice，clearandstrong。
\"Areyouthere，Barry？\"itsaid。
\"Here，dad，righthere！\"
\"Goodboy。Goodboy。Youwon’tleaveme，Barry。Imeanyoudon’tneedtogo？\"
\"No，dad，I’llneverleaveyou。\"
\"Goodboy，\"againmurmuredhisfathersoftly。\"Alwaysagoodboy，always，always——\"
Hewasbreathingheavily，longdeepbreaths。
\"Liftmeup，Barry，\"hesaid。
Barrysatonthebed，puthisarmaroundhisfather’sshoulders，andliftedhimup。
\"That’sbetter——holdmecloser，Barry——Youwon’thurtme——Oh，it’sgood——tofeel——yourarms——strongarms——Barry。\"
\"Youmadethemstrong，dad，\"saidBarry，inaclear，steadyvoice。
Thefathernestledhisheaduponhisson’sshoulder。
\"Barry，\"hesaidinthelowtoneofonegivingaconfidence，\"don’teverforget——tothankGod——fortheseeighteenyears——together——
Yousavedme——fromdespair——eighteenyearsago——whenshewentaway——
youknow——andyouhavebeen——alltheworldtome——myson——\"
\"Andyoutome，dad，\"saidhissoninthesamesteadytone。
\"I’vetriedallmylife——tomakeyouknow——howIloveyou——butsomehowIcouldn’t——\"
\"ButIknew，dad，\"saidBarry。\"AllmylifeIhaveknown。\"
\"Really？\"askedhisfather。\"I——wonder——Idon’tthink——youquiteknow——Ah——myboy——myboy——Youdon’t——know——you——can’t。Barry，\"
hesaid，\"Ithink——I’mgoingout——I’mgoing——out——no，in——yourword——myboy——in——eh——Barry？\"
\"Yes，dad，\"saidhisson。\"Goingin。Theinnercircle，youknow。\"
\"The——inner——circle——\"echoedhisfather。\"Warmth——light——love——
Now——Ithink——I’llsleep——Goodnight——Barry——Oh——myboy，——you——
don’tquite——know——Kissme——Barry——\"
Barrykissedhimonthelips。
\"So——Good——night——\"
Adeepbreathhetook；another——Barrywaitedforthenext，buttherewasnotanother。
Helaidhisfatherdownandlookedintohisquietface，touchedevennowwiththenoblestatelinessofdeath。Heputhisarmsabouttheunresponsiveform，andhisfacetothecheekstillwarm。
\"Dad，oh，dad，\"hewhispered。\"Doyouknow——doyouknow——Oh，God，tellhimhowIlovehim。Tellhim！Tellhim！Inevercould。\"
ThelittleV。A。D。camesoftlyandstoodlookingfromadistance。
Thencomingtothebedside，shelaidherhandupontheheadandthentheheartofthedeadman。Thenshedrewback，andbeckoningtoanorderly，theyplacedascreenaboutthecot。Shelethereyesrestforamomentortwouponthekneelingboy，thenwentsoftlyaway。
Deathwastoheranalltoofamiliarthing。Shehadoftenseenitunmoved，butto—night，asshewalkedaway，thebrowneyescouldnotholdtheirtears。
CHAPTERXII
AMANOFGOD
Barrywasstandingbesidehisfather’sgrave，inalittleplotintheBoulognecemeterysetapartforBritishofficers。Theyhad，onebyone，goneawayandlefthimuntil，alone，hestoodlookingdownonthesimplewoodencrossonwhichwererecordedthename，age，andunitofthesoldierwiththedateofhisdeath，andunderneaththesimplelegend，eloquentofheroicsacrifice，\"Diedofwoundsreceivedinaction。\"
Throughoutthesimple，beautifulburialservicehehadnotbeenacutelyconsciousofgrief。Evennowhewonderedthathecouldshednotears。RatherdidanexultantemotionfillhissoulashelookedarounduponthelittleBritishplot，withitsrowsofcrosses，andhewaschieflyconsciousofasolemn，tenderpridethathewaspermittedtosharethatgloriousofferingwhichhisEmpirewasmakingforthesavingoftheworld。But，inthismoment，ashestoodtherealoneclosetohisfather’sgrave，andsurroundedbythoseexamplesofhighcourageanddevotion，hebecameawareofamightychangewroughtinhimduringtheselastthreedays。Hehadexperiencedaveritableemancipationofsoul。
Hewasasifhehadbeenbornanew。
Theoldsenseoffailureinhiswork，thefeelingofunfitnessforit，andtheolddreadofit，hadbeenliftedoutofhissoul，andnotonlywasheanewman，buthefelthimselftobechargedwithanewmission，becausehehadanewmessageforhismen。Nolongerdidheconceivehimselfasamoralpolicemanorreligiouscensor，whosemaindutyitwastostandinjudgmentoverthefaultsandsinsofthemenofhisbattalion。Nomorewouldtheburdenofhismessagebeasterndenunciationofthesefaultsandsins。Standingthereto—day，hecouldonlywonderathisformerblindnessandstupidityandpride。
\"WhoamI，\"hesaidinbitterself—humiliation，\"thatIshouldjudgemycomrades？HowlittleIknewmyself。\"
\"AmanofGod，\"hissuperintendenthadsaidinhislastlettertohim。Yes，trulyamanofGod！AMANnotGod！AMANnottositinGod’splaceinjudgmentuponhisfellowsinners，buttoshowthemGod，theirFather。
Barrythoughtofthefrequentrebukeshehadadministeredtotheofficersandmenforwhatheconsideredtobetheirsins。Hegroanedaloud。
\"Godwillforgiveme，Iknow，\"hesaid。\"Butwillthey？\"
Hetriedtorecallwhattheburdenofhismessagetohisbattalionhadbeenduringthesepastmonths，buttohimtherecamenoclearanddistinctmemoryofaughtbutwarningsanddenunciations，withreferencetowhathejudgedtobefaultyintheirconduct。To—dayitseemedtohimbothsadandterrible。
HowhadhesofailedandsomisconceivedtheMaster’splainteaching？HemovedamongsinnersallHisdays，notwithdenunciationsinHisheartorvoice，butonlywithpityandlove。
\"Benotanxious，\"Hehadsaid。\"Considerthebirdsoftheair。
NotoneofthemfallethtothegroundwithoutyourFather。Howmuchmorepreciousareyouthanthebirds。\"
Whatamessageformengoinguptofacetheterrorsandperilsofthefrontline。\"Benotanxious！\"
\"Iwasafraid，\"hisfatherhadsaidtohim。Thattohimwasinconceivable。Thatthatgallantspiritshouldknowterrorseemedtohimimpossible。Yetevenhehadsaid，\"Iwasafraid。\"Andfortheloneliness，whatamessagehenowhad。Intheirlonelinessmencriedoutforthepresenceofafriend，andtheMasterhadsaid：
\"Whenyepray，praytoyourFather。YourFatherknoweth。Whenyepray，say，’OurFather’！\"Andhehadmissedallthis。Whatamesshehadmadeofhiswork！HowsadlymisreadhisMaster’steachingandmisinterpretedhisMaster’sspirit！
Barrylookeddownuponthegraveathisfeet。
\"Butyouknew，dad，youknew！\"hewhispered。
Forthefirsttimesincehehadbecomeachaplain，hethoughtofhisworkwithgratitudeandeagerness。Helongedtoseehismenagain。Hehadsomethingtotellthem。Itwasthis：thatGodtothemwasliketheirfathers，theirmothers，theirbrothers，theirfriends；onlyinfinitelymoreloving，andwithouttheirfaults。
Withhisheadhighandhisfeetlightupontheearth，hereturnedtotheR。A。M。C。Hospital，wherehefoundHarryHobbs，withhishandbagandaletterfromhisO。C。
\"Takeafewdaysoff，\"saidtheO。C。\"Weallsympathisewithyou。
Wemissyouandshallbegladtoseeyou，buttakeafewdaysnowforyourself。\"
Barrywasgreatlytouched，buthehadonlyonedesirenow，andthatwastoreturntohisunit。HisbatmanbroughthimalsoanorderfromtheAssistantDirectorofChaplainServicebiddinghimreportattheearliestmoment。
AtHeadquartershelearnedthattheA。D。C。S。hadbeeninBoulogne，buthadgonetoEtaples，somethirtyorfortymilesdistant，tovisitthelargehospitalsthere。Hedeterminedthatto—morrowhewouldgotoEtaplesandreport，afterwhichhewouldproceedtohisbattalion。
Thatevening，hevisitedthemeninthehospital，cominguponmanyCanadianswhosejoyinseeingachaplainfromtheirowncountrytouchedBarrytotheheart。Hetooktheirmessageswhichhepromisedtotransmittotheirfolksathome，andleftwiththemsomethingofthesereneandexultantpeacethatfilledhisownsoul。
FromEwenInnesandothersoftheWapitidraft，helearnedsomethingofhisfather’sworkandplaceintheirbattalion。
Soldiersarenoteloquentinspeech，butmostlyinsilence。Theirwordshaltedwhentheycametospeakoftheirsergeantmajor’ssoldierlyqualities，——forhisfatherhadbecomethesergeantmajorofthebattalion——hispatience，hisskill，hiscourage。
\"Heknewhisjob，sir，\"saidoneofthem。\"Hewasalwaysontoit。\"
\"Itwashiscareofhismenthatwethoughtmostof，\"saidEwen，whocontinuedtorelateincidentsthathadcomeunderhisownobservationofthischaracteristic，tearsthewhileflowingdownhischeeks。
\"Heneverthoughtofhimself，sir。Itwasourcomfortfirst。Hewasfarmorethanoursergeantmajor。Hewatcheduslikeafather；
that’swhathedid。\"
AsBarrylistenedtothesoldierstellingofhisfatherinbrokenwords，andwithflowingtears，healmostwonderedatthemfortheirtearsandwonderedathimselfthathehadnone。Tearsseemedtobesomuchoutofplaceintellingsuchataleasthat。
ThetrainforEtaplesleavingatanunearthlyhourinthemorning，BarrywenttotakefarewelloftheV。A。D。thenightbefore。
\"Thatisanawfullyearlyhour，\"shesaid，\"and，oh，suchawretchedtrain。\"Therewasinhervoiceanalmostmaternalsolicitudeforhiscomfort。
\"That’snothing，\"saidBarry。\"WhenIseeyouhereatyourunendingwork，itmakesmefeelmoreandmorelikeaslacker。\"
\"Waitformehereamoment，\"shesaid，andhurriedawaytoreturnshortlyinsuchaglowofexcitementasevenherwontedcalmandself—restraintcouldnotquitehide。
