He left the room.
"I am sorry, mother," said Hal, "but we cannot go home now."
"Cannot go home!" exclaimed Mrs. Paine. "Why?"
"Because we have duties to perform here," replied Hal quietly.
"Duties? What have you to do with this war? You are an American."
"Nevertheless," said Hal, "we have taken the oath of allegiance,
and we must stay, at least until we have accomplished the mission
we are now on."
"What is the mission?" asked his mother.
"I am sorry, mother, but I cannot say," was Hal's reply.
"Is it dangerous?"
"Well, not particularly so," said Hal.
"And you won't tell me what it is?"
"I cannot. It is not my secret to tell. It belongs to France."
"In that event," said Mrs. Paine, who had been a soldier's wife, "I will
not press you."
"Thank you, mother," said Hal gratefully.
A similar conversation had ensued between Chester and Mrs. Crawford, with
like result.
"But, if we let you go on this mission, will you then return home?" asked
Mrs. Crawford.
"We can't promise, mother," said Chester.
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