Unconsciously during the fever and emotion of the training of American men for service abroad, and the poignancy of their departure, to fight, and perhaps never return, Mel Iden had answered to this mysterious instinct of nature.

Then, with the emotion past, and face to face with staggering consequences, she had reacted to conscious instincts.

She had proved the purity of her surrender.

She was all mother.

And Lane began to see her moving in a crystal, beautiful light.
For what seemed a long time Lane remained motionless there in the silence of the meadow.