Do n't you think it 's about time I joined up ? '' The pale mother looked at him . `` Two of my sons have gone and one will never return . Must I give you too , Shirley ? '' The age-old cry -- `` Joseph is not and Simeon is not ; and ye will take Benjamin away . '' How the mothers of the Great War echoed the old Patriarch 's moan of so many centuries agone ! `` You would n't have me a slacker , mother ? I can get into the flying-corps . What say , dad ? '' The doctor 's hands were not quite steady as he folded up the powders he was concocting for Abbie Flagg 's rheumatism . He had known this moment was coming , yet he was not altogether prepared for it . He answered slowly , `` I wo n't try to hold you back from what you believe to be your duty . But you must not go unless your mother says you may . '' Shirley said nothing more . He was not a lad of many words . Anne did not say anything more just then , either . She was thinking of little Joyce 's grave in the old burying-ground over-harbour -- little Joyce who would have been a woman now , had she lived -- of the white cross in France and the splendid grey eyes of the little boy who had been taught his first lessons of duty and loyalty at her knee -- of Jem in the terrible trenches -- of Nan and Di and Rilla , waiting -- waiting -- waiting , while the golden years of youth passed by -- and she wondered if she could bear any more . She thought not ; surely she had given enough . Yet that night she told Shirley that he might go . They did not tell Susan right away .
She did not know it until , a few days later , Shirley presented himself in her kitchen XXXXX his aviation uniform .
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