How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I think it wrong that I write to you with hope and optimism for our future; I think I must prepare you for the possibility—no, the probability—of heartbreak. When a man has looked upon such massive waste of life as I have witnessed in these three battles, the presumption to consider his own littler personal dreams becomes a matter of supreme egotism. (10.6)
Shad is right on board with Jenny in thinking that planning for the future isn't the greatest option at this point. But he takes it, like, twenty steps further and pretty much tells her that it's unlikely he's coming home. Not exactly the route love letters usually take.
Quote #8
"Maybe I'll ask Nancy for soap and water; maybe she'll help me clean the place," he whispered to himself. "If Shad ever comes back, I'd like for this room to be clean and nice for him."
Then he shook his head at his own dreaming. He had heard Ross Milton warning Jenny the night before, "We must remember, girl, that there's only one chance in a hundred that this trip will have a happy ending. But we're going to concentrate on that one chance." (10.37-38)
Jethro has a shred of reality thrown into his dream—notice that he says if Shad comes back. It's not a certainty that Shad will, but Jethro's not completely giving in to the idea that he won't either. Plus Jeth remembers Ross Milton's words of advice to Jenny and he holds out home for that one chance.
Quote #9
Jethro had not liked to hear the editor talk like that. To him peace had been a shining dream, with Shad and Jenny back home, with John more of a brother now and a hero in Jethro's eyes, with Eb coming home in pride instead of degradation. No, of course, peace would not be a perfect pearl, not with young Tom never to return, not with the possibility of Bill's return only the most shadowy and remote of chances. Still, peace would mean a glorious sense of relief; in all his years Jethro had heard either the talk of war's imminence or its reality. He had wished that Ross Milton would not rip up his dream of peace. (12.45)
Finally things are looking somewhat up and there goes Ross Milton raining on Jethro's parade. All of Jeth's life has been war this, war that and now he simply wants to enjoy his peace in, well, peace. But voice-of-reason Ross Milton makes sure that Jethro's hopes don't get too high.