But I have helped a little , I believe , and I am so glad and thankful . `` The war news has been good right along . The French and Americans are pushing the Germans back and back and back . Sometimes I am afraid it is too good to last -- after nearly four years of disasters one has a feeling that this constant success is unbelievable . We do n't rejoice noisily over it . Susan keeps the flag up but we go softly . The price paid has been too high for jubilation . We are just thankful that it has not been paid in vain . `` No word has come from Jem . We hope -- because we dare not do anything else . But there are hours when we all feel -- though we never say so -- that such hoping is foolishness . These hours come more and more frequently as the weeks go by . And we may never know . That is the most terrible thought of all . I wonder how Faith is bearing it . To judge from her letters she has never for a moment given up hope , but she must have had her dark hours of doubt like the rest of us . '' 20th August 1918 `` The Canadians have been in action again and Mr. Meredith had a cable today saying that Carl had been slightly wounded and is in the hospital . It did not say where the wound was , which is unusual , and we all feel worried . There is news of a fresh victory every day now . '' 30th August 1918 `` The Merediths had a letter from Carl today .
His wound was `` only a slight one '' -- but it was in his XXXXX eye and the sight is gone for ever ! ''
Americans Canadians Germans Jem Meredith Susan day disasters right war