They would not have their sons be called cowards.

They themselves have the blind, instinctive, and therefore sacred love of country, which is named patriotism--and they send forth their sons to fight.
I stand up to kiss the white and delicate hand of the gentlewoman who sends her boy to the war, for its owner knows as well as I do (or ought to) all that is involved in this colossal struggle.

But to the toil-worn, coarse-handed mother I go on bended knees; nothing intellectual comes within the range of her ideas.

Her boy is fighting for England.

She would be ashamed if he were not.