John was surprised to see a letter from Peggy. She hadn't written since seeing him off. He tore it open.

Toronto

August 21, 1916

Dear John

By the time you receive this, I will be Mrs. Peggy Short. Yes, my dear, I'm marrying someone else. He's a brush salesman that I've been seeing since you left for France. George is in love with me, and will take care of me. I'm afraid I had no desire to be a widow before I had a chance to enjoy marriage. You charged off and enlisted without even talking to me - that was how much you loved me. Don't talk to me about duty and patriotism. Duty and patriotism won't feed you, clothe you, and keep you warm.

Still, I wish you well, and hope you return safely.

Yours truly,

Peggy

John crumpled it up and tossed it away.

Conflicting feelings whirled inside his head. He was hurt, but not surprised. He was relieved. This last puzzled him at first, but as he thought about it, he realized that much of their relationship was Peggy's idea, driving inexorably towards the altar.

At last he was free, free to get on with fighting a war. There would be other girls, back in Canada. John had no great hopes for here in France. Despite his comrades' insistence that French girls were beautiful and available, his own experience from trips over to meet his cousins was very different. But that wasn't why he was here, in any case.

So it was that John left mail call with a light heart.