The answer would be a, water.
Explanation:
The article has been referenced from Across five Aprils written by Irene Hunt.
It is a about the different experiences the locals felt during the civil war period. There is a character named Jethro who initially thought that war is too organised but then the realities of war unfolds him gradually.
Now Matt was Jethro's father, a person who didnt want much fighting, He infact forgave the killer of her daughter. He also got a heart attack which made him to transfer his duties to his son Jethro.
The decision that question statement is mentioning is related to Jethro who decided to join war. This would not make his father happy becasue he was not fond of wars and also there were now responsibilities on Jethro
