'I am sure, ma'am'—and Sam looked intently at Mrs. Morris, his whole countenance beaming with honest emotion—'I don't know what I have done that you should say so. If you mean my trying to save Miss Susan, why I am sure, ma'am, if I had not done it, I wouldn't be fit to live. I would do it again, if I knew I should die for it; I am sure I would, and so would any one.'
Mrs. Morris could not repress the starting tear, nor could she make an immediate reply. Sam's whole demeanor took her by surprise—she did not expect such a burst of genuine gallantry.
'God bless you, my good fellow! you have a noble heart, and will make a proud station for yourself, yet; but keep in mind, that the path to honor lies through difficulties and dangers.'
As she said this, her hand was smoothing down the dark curls which lay, in all their natural carelessness, around Sam's fine forehead.
'But, Peter, only think! we have forgotten the hat—what a pity!'
Peter made no reply, otherwise than by handling his queue, and rolling his quid from one side of his mouth to the other.
'How could you let me forget it, Peter?'
'Oh, ma'am, don't think of it; you have given me too many things already.'
'Please, my lady, he'll do well enough, for all that. If my lady has no further orders, I must go.'
'Nothing further, Peter.'