George said little, but his gratification was deeper than he could express. He wrote to his mother at once, and also to Betty, and Betty answered: “Our mother is very resigned, for she knows, dear George, that when one has a son or a brother who is _a great military genius_, and who everybody knows must one day be _a great man_, one must give him up to his country.” At which George laughed very much, for he did not think himself either a genius or a great man.