" Mrs.
Stubbard's right to spare nobody was well established by this time.
"Better have the guns, though they could not be fired, than no guns at
all, if they would frighten the enemy."
"That is true, ma'am," replied Mr. Twemlow; "but until the guns came,
we had no sense of our danger. Having taught us that, they were bound to
act up to their teaching. It is not for ourselves that I have any fear.
We have long since learned to rest with perfect faith in the Hand that
overruleth all. And more than that--if there should be a disturbance, my
nephew and my godson Joshua has a house of fourteen rooms in a Wiltshire
valley, quite out of the track of invaders. He would have to fight, for
he is Captain in the Yeomanry; and we would keep house for him till all
was over. So that it is for my parish I fear, for my people, my schools,
and my church, ma'am."
"Needn't be afraid, sir; no call to run away," cried the Captain of
the battery, having now well manned his own portholes with the Rector's
sound wine; "we shall have our powder in to-morrow, and the French can't
come to-night; there is too much moon. They never dare show their noses
nor'ard of their sands, with the man in the moon--the John Bull in the
moon--looking at them. And more than that, why, that cursed Boney--"
"Adam, in Mr. Twemlow's house! You must please to excuse him, all good
people. He has sate such a long time, without saying what he likes.
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