Page:The Art of Helping People Out of Trouble (1924).pdf/90

 The soldier, of course, assured the young man that he had not a worry in all the world and that his wife was a great comfort and help to him. More than this he would not say, and in despair the young man asked a social worker of maturity and experience to see what she could accomplish.

On entering the room, she noticed beside the bed a tray with the breakfast upon it untouched. The soldier lay partly propped by pillows. Tears were rolling down his cheeks.

"Not very hungry this morning," the visitor began, looking at the tray.

The soldier shook his head, but made no reply.

"Well, it's hard to eat when you're not feeling just right," continued the woman. "Were you able to eat any supper last night?"

"Not much," the soldier replied.

"I'm not surprised," said the visitor. "Most men don't like to take their meals in bed. Why don't you ask the landlady to put the tray on the table over there?"—pointing across the room. "Then you could sit up. It would give you more of an appetite."

"I couldn't," replied the man; "I'd be afraid."

"I know," said the social worker understand-