"
It was very easy after that to tell Mrs. Connolly all about it. About
Derry, and how he had fallen in love with her when he had thought she
was just the girl in the Toy Shop. But there were things which she did
not tell, of the shabby old gentleman and of the shadow which had
darkened Derry's life.
Then when she had finished, Mary Connolly asked the thing which
everybody asked--"Why isn't he fighting?"
Jean flushed. "He--he made a promise to his mother."
"I'd never make my boys promise a thing like that. And if I did, I'd
hope they'd break it."
"Break it?" tensely.
"Of course. Their honor's bigger than anything I could ever ask them.
And they know it."
"Then you think that Derry ought to break his promise?"
"I do, indeed, my dear."
"But--. Oh, Mrs. Connolly, I don't know whether I want him to break
it."
"Why not?"
With her face hidden. "I don't know whether I could let him--go."
"You'd let him go. Never fear. When the moment came, the good Lord
would give you strength--"
There were steps outside. Jean leaned over and kissed Mary Connolly on
the cheek. "You are such a darling--I don't wonder that my mother
loved you.
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