Chapter II Summary

The next morning, the rumor of a battle proved to be untrue. Henry felt that his problem was not yet solved. He tried for days afterward to calculate whether or not he would run from battle and he just couldn't do it. He guessed that he would need the elements of blood, blaze and danger to fully figure into the equation.

Henry tried to measure himself by his comrades but they were giving off no airs of being scared. He tried to lead some into the discussion but no one would talk about it. Sometimes he thought they all must be heroes and sometimes all liars. He reproached himself by keeping his fears in the company of men who didn't seem to have any. He felt particular anger at the generals for making him wait to test himself.

Finally one morning...