Tom wouldn't have gone off without saying something to me about it." "If he wouldn't say it to me, he wouldn't be likely to say it to you, John.

It don't look a bit like Thomas to go off and leave his mother in this way," moaned the poor woman, wiping away a deluge of tears that now poured from her eyes.
"I don't believe he has done any such thing, mother," protested John.
"I feel almost certain about it, now.

If the boy wanted to go, and couldn't stay at home, he ought to have told me so." "He did say he wanted to go." "I didn't think he really meant it.

I want my boys to love their country, and be ready to fight for it.

Much as I should hate to part with them, if they are needed, they may go; but I don't like to have them run away and leave me in this mean way.