Chapter 14

So basically, in this chapter, although there's really no war happening in Australia, Jack volunteers to join the army, and suggests Davy volunteer as well. After considering it, he goes to Mr.Brewster, who says that Davy's too important as a skilled war correspondent to go off and do something other than writing. To Davy's surprise, Gavin volunteers to the army.

Davy is told that Jack has been in a serious accident at the army base, where he was trampled in a stampede during a practice drill. Davy and Sheila both sit by Jack's hospital bed as Jack recalls him and Davy's childhood, selling things in the hospital. Jack is fine, and as Davy drops Sheila home after their visit, Davy contrasts his own wife, Helen, to Jack's wife, Sheila. It's here that he realises he always has been, and always will be, in love with Sheila.

Here are some quotes from the old book!

"One noticed that the flags were up, brave and bright in the equinoctial winds, but nothing was happening. We were in a state of war, and there was no war. An urgent patriotism would seem to flare up and then die in embarrassment" p.272

Everyone's pretty much waiting for a war, and getting really patriotic and excited, but still nothing is happening.

"During this hectic, exhilarating, unbalanced time I saw very little of Helen, and the house in Beverly Grove was no more than a place in which to sleep. This was a great relief to me. It removed my despair, it eased the surface tensions that existed between Helen and me, it staved off any need to make, or to evade, a decision." p.274

His inability to deal with his current situation shows through in this quote, as he avoids his wife and his marital problems completely.

"Even more than this, for I saw that this was not only that he looked as Jack should look, but he looked as a proper man should look" p.276

Davy still idolises Jack, and despite their both being married adults with their own lives, Davy still is looking up to Jack.

"I envied the profound certainty there was about him, when I was so uncertain." p.280

Again, Davy's envy of Jack is not only shown, but stated. He pretty much just wants to be Jack.

And this is also nicely worded!

"With his immense skinny height, his awkward look, and this shoddy, ill-fitting uniform, he was a memorably lamentable figure of a soldier" p.282

Gavin T

"An affectionate chuckle exploded from his bulk." p.284

(That one has no significance, but I liked it!)

"...and I knew that I had been a little bit in love with her ever since I had met her, and I knew that I would be for as long as I lived." p.288

Davy discovers his love for Sheila, Jack's wife. Last line of chapter. Very intense.

Georgia F