Eunice's husband, Vincent, has just been accused of cowardice by a relative, and Eunice has challenged him on his objection to the war...

"I've never known you afraid," she said, still angry. "But that isn't everything".

"Of course not - if you mean just physical courage ... But moral cowardice - that's another thing. I don't intend to sink to that, if I can help it - and you'll help me, too. Won't you, dearest?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." "Yes you do."

He took a stride around their pleasant little sitting-room with its new rugs and chintzes, and its wide window patterned by the sycamore. Afterwards she thought of him as like the tree - too big for the room ...

"You know I don't believe in war - in armies slaughtering each other as a way to peace and prosperity, not to mention justice. The whole thing's savagery. And stupidity. And waste. You've heard me say so a hundred times since this war started. I didn't expect you'd want me to behave as if I thought differently."

"Nobody thinks differently - except the Germans. But we've got to stop them doing as they like and coming here - "

"Most of them are not doing what they like - wretched conscripts! - only what they are forced or deceived into doing. We aren't likely to stop them by the same tactics. And even if we succeed, by turning ourselves into brutes and liars - "

She sprang round with such a flaming air that he stood still, abruptly.

"How can you abuse our men, who've left everything to go and fight in defence of our country? Tom isn't a brute and liar. He's as brave as you, if not as clever - and there are heaps even braver and cleverer, who've gone out willingly - heaps are going now, every day, before they're shamed into going - "

She broke off with a hysterical gurgle.

"My dearest girl," he said gently, but not moving to her. "I did not mean to abuse the soldiers - certainly not those who think it right to fight. But since it is not right for me..."

© Lily Tobias - 1933

Eunice Fleet is published by Honno Classics