1916. England is at war, and the Moorland family is in its midst, with two men already in France and three others soon.

A tragedy hits Morland Place when he announces the death of Jesse Ned's husband on the western front. His father calls a desperate attempt to find him, but the family fears the worst.

Jesse, in the mourning and frustration of her job as an assistant nurse, goes to London to work in a military hospital. There she is reunited with her old friend Oliver, who posted in the capital under RAMC.

Also in London is Violet, a relationship with the wonderful artist Octavian Laidislaw about to explode in scandal. .

The "day scale" paints a picture of a family, and a nation, at war, at a pivotal point in history. With the start of recruitment, no one remains affected.

Every man must hold himself in readiness; every woman knows that when she says goodbye, this may be the last time.

I want that book.