Gertrude and Allan Daly talked the news over in low , troubled tones . Walter Blythe had turned pale and left the room . Outside he met Jem , hurrying up the rock steps . `` Have you heard the news , Jem ? '' `` Yes . The Piper has come . Hurrah ! I knew England would n't leave France in the lurch . I 've been trying to get Captain Josiah to hoist the flag but he says it is n't the proper caper till sunrise . Jack says they 'll be calling for volunteers tomorrow . '' `` What a fuss to make over nothing , '' said Mary Vance disdainfully as Jem dashed off . She was sitting out with Miller Douglas on a lobster trap which was not only an unromantic but an uncomfortable seat . But Mary and Miller were both supremely happy on it . Miller Douglas was a big , strapping , uncouth lad , who thought Mary Vance 's tongue uncommonly gifted and Mary Vance 's white eyes stars of the first magnitude ; and neither of them had the least inkling why Jem Blythe wanted to hoist the lighthouse flag . `` What does it matter if there 's going to be a war over there in Europe ? I 'm sure it does n't concern us . '' Walter looked at her and had one of his odd visitations of prophecy . `` Before this war is over , '' he said -- or something said through his lips -- `` every man and woman and child in Canada will feel it -- you , Mary , will feel it -- feel it to your heart 's core . You will weep tears of blood over it . The Piper has come -- and he will pipe until every corner of the world has heard his awful and irresistible music .
It will be years before the dance of death is over -- years , XXXXX .
Daly Douglas England Europe Gertrude Jack Mary Piper left war