On the previous night, when the war extras came out confirming the forecast of his favorite bootblack, her usually calm father had shown signs of panic.

He was not a man slow to act.

And she knew that, putty though he was in her hands in matters which he did not regard as important, he could also be firm where he thought firmness necessary.

America looked even better to him than usual, and he had made up his mind to go there immediately.

There was no use in arguing with him.
At this point came a knock at her door and her father entered.