It was now crushing the moral and intellectual energy in himself, as it had crushed the physical life of his son.

For it was as though he were crouching on some bare space, naked and alone, like a wounded man left behind in a shell-hole by his comrades' advance.

He was aware, indeed, of a mysterious current of spiritual force--patriotism, or religion, or both in one--which seemed to be the support of other men.

He had seen incredible, superhuman proofs of it in those few hospital days.

But it was of no use to him.
There was only one dim glimmer in his mind--towards which at intervals he seemed to be reaching out.