That man Simonds says their retreat has put the Allies in a hole . '' `` That man Simonds has said more than he will ever live to make good , '' retorted Susan . `` I do not worry myself about his opinion as long as Lloyd George is Premier of England . He will not be bamboozled and that you may tie to . Things look good to me . The U. S. is in the war , and we have got Kut and Bagdad back -- and I would not be surprised to see the Allies in Berlin by June -- and the Russians , too , since they have got rid of the Czar . That , in my opinion was a good piece of work . '' `` Time will show if it is , '' said Cousin Sophia , who would have been very indignant if anyone had told her that she would rather see Susan put to shame as a seer , than a successful overthrow of tyranny , or even the march of the Allies down Unter den Linden . But then the woes of the Russian people were quite unknown to Cousin Sophia , while this aggravating , optimistic Susan was an ever-present thorn in her side . Just at that moment Shirley was sitting on the edge of the table in the living-room , swinging his legs -- a brown , ruddy , wholesome lad , from top to toe , every inch of him -- and saying coolly , `` Mother and dad , I was eighteen last Monday . 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 XXXXX it .
about as for from into of on than that while