“Do you truly think that a man who stays at home can be as good a patriot as a soldier who goes to fight for his country?” asked George, feeling a little ashamed of his friend.

“I think that a man can do more for his country in time of peace than in war,” said Jack.  “And as for courage, I know it is harder to do some of the little, common, everyday things well than to do great deeds.  Father says that the mothers are the real heroes in the world.  I dare say it took more courage for some men to stay at home than for any of those in the regiment to go.”

“But you never hear about the bravery of those men,” objected George.  “Of course, once in a while, there is a fire or a railroad accident, and somebody is very brave and heroic, but that is the exception.”

“I don’t call daring the only kind of bravery,” said Jack.  “Just think of those nurses and priests who go out to the leper islands to care for the sick.  They know that they are going to something worse than death, yet they give up everything to make life easier for a few unknown people.”

“I wasn’t speaking of them,” said George.  “I mean those who stay at home, and don’t do anything very remarkable.”

“I’ve noticed one thing,” said Jack.  “The heroes are usually those who have done their work well every day.  Father says that what the country needs is the quiet faithfulness of every citizen.”

“Do you think,” said Ned, with a superior smile, “that wars are going to stop because you disapprove of them?”

“I think that war is cruel,” said Jack stoutly, “and I don’t believe there is any need of our being cruel.  I know that some of our wisest men think that the time is coming when nations will be ashamed to settle questions in that way.”

“How do you propose to show your wonderful patriotism. if you won’t fight?” demanded Ned.

Jack flushed a little, but he answered steadily: 

“I propose to make of myself as good a citizen as I can.  I propose to keep my temper, and to remember that others beside myself have rights.  I propose to be honest and fair.  If I do all my work as well as I can, I hope that some day my life will be of service to my country.”

Ned and Dick walked off with a disagreeable laugh, but George slipped his arm through his friend’s.  “If I didn’t know better, I should say that you were a coward, Jack,” he said.  “I wish you had more of the hero in you.”

“Even a hero doesn’t like to be laughed at,” said Jack.  “I know one thing, George:  it takes more courage to be called a coward, and to stand up for what you think is right when others are laughing at you, than it does to fight.”

“I believe you are right,” said George; “I can see that a man may be as much of a hero and patriot in one place as another, if he is only true to himself.”

He serves his country best
Who lives pure life, and doeth righteous deed,
And walks straight paths, however others stray;
And leaves his sons, as uttermost bequest,
A stainless record which all men may read. 

                                                  Susan Coolidge.