“A son’s business failure reflects worse on a family than a daughter’s military absence,” Eleanor said.

“If Derek had been expelled with unpaid debts, people in our social circle would have talked.”

“Nobody would have known about my graduation.”

“Exactly,” Eleanor said, adjusting her collar.

“Nobody in our circle keeps track of military commencement dates.

It made no practical sense to spend eight hundred dollars on airfare when Derek needed cash right away.”

“You stayed home while I marched across that field alone.”

“You got your commission whether or not we sat in those bleachers,” Eleanor said.