"I believe the thing I'm really afraid of most is being a coward. I'm always just going to be one, and I know I am one already, but I'm so frightened in case I shall really be an awful one, one day!"
"Ah!" said Mr. O'Flagherty, taking out his pipe after asking Miss Bertha's permission to smoke. "We're a bad lot with our fears. Now we'll make a bonfire of them. Write them on slips of paper, and we'll throw them on the fire."
This was done. Mr. O'Flagherty threw his upon the red coals with a tragic air.
"Now," he said, "shut your eyes, and I'll tell you what I see. There they go! Tall ladies, short ladies, spectacled ladies, young ladies, severe ladies in all their finery, and with all their art jargon on their lips. They make a glorious blaze. May they never come back to frighten and annoy me. Now, Miss Bertha, away with your fear!"
Miss Bertha laughed and threw her slip of paper into the fire.
"Ah!" said Mr. O'Flagherty. "There he goes, the spirit of luxury and indulgence! He's nearly asleep, his fat cheeks tell of his good living; but he looks so jolly and good-tempered, that I'm quite sorry for him. Still, he must not be allowed back to frighten our self-denying little lady. Now, John Bull, into the fire with yours!"
Puggy obeyed instantly.
"What do you see?"
"I see hundreds of merry little fellows flying up the chimney, and yet some of them have rather evil faces. I think you're well rid of them, Johnnie. Now, Will-o'-the-wisp, in with your schoolmasters! What a royal blaze they make with their lesson books and canes and long words of wisdom! We are having a grand clearance. Where is yours, lassie?"
Christina's face was very solemn as she threw her slip of paper into the fire.