"Don't cry, that's a darling," said the simple-hearted sister. "You
make the whole world seem so cruel when you cry, because you look so
innocent. It shall be as you please, if I can only think it right. But
I cannot see how we gave a pledge of any sort, considering that we ran
away without speaking. The question is--have we any right to conceal it,
when father has a right to know everything?"
"He would be in such a sad passion," pleaded Dolly, with a stock of
fresh tears only waiting, "and he never would look again at poor Captain
Stubbard, and what would become of all his family?"
"Father is a just and conscientious man," replied the daughter who
inherited those qualities; "he would not blame Captain Stubbard; he
would blame us, and no others."
"Oh, I could not bear to hear you blamed, Faith. I should have to
say that it was all my fault. And then how I should catch it, and be
punished for a month! Confined to the grounds for a month at least,
and never have a bit of appetite. But I am not thinking of myself, I am
quite sure of that. You know that I never do that much. I am thinking of
that heroic gentleman, who stamped out the sparks so cleverly. All the
time I lay on the sand I watched him, though I expected to be blown
to pieces every single moment. Oh! what a nasty sensation it was! I
expected to find all my hair turned grey. But, thank Heaven, I don't see
a streak in it!" To make sure of that, she went to the glass again.
Pages:
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172