It would be better for both of us." "What have you against me ?" Julian asked, puzzled.
"The lives of my two boys," was the fierce reply.

"Fred's gone now--died in hospital last night.

It was you who talked them into soldiering." Julian's manner changed at once, and his tone became kinder.
"You are very foolish to blame anybody, Robert.

Your sons did their duty.

If they hadn't joined up when they did, they would have had to join as conscripts later on." "Their duty!" Robert repeated, with smothered scorn.