"'To the war with you,' answered Mattia promptly.

"'What! To war, at your age? It is impossible. Where is your home?'

"Mattia told him.

"'My mother is dead, as is my father, and my brothers are fighting at
Verdun. Mattia has only his country left to love now. Where is
Verdun?'

"'You poor little patriot,' answered the officer sympathetically.
'Verdun is yonder where you see the smoke and where the big guns are
in action. You can hear them now.'

"The boy nodded.

"'But you are too young to fight. It is not permissible. Wait! You
have no family left at home?'

"'None, sir, save my uncle, who does not want me,'

"'And you wish to stay here?'

"'No, sir, I wish to fight.'

"'That cannot be, but if you wish you may remain here. If you can work
there is much that you can do in the rear and thus serve your country
well. All men who serve their country are not in the trenches. Many
are serving heroically who have not yet heard the roar of the big
guns.'