“That is the way you always talk, Frank, and it makes me feel so hopeful and happy. Before I knew you I was often sad, but no one can be sad where you are.”
“I never permit myself to be sad for any length of time,” declared Frank, “for sadness is one of the greatest causes of failure in the world. The person who is always sad and mournful is shunned in business as well as in society. He is anything but a pleasant companion, and men do not care to deal with him. In almost every case, the real source of sadness is feebleness of the soul, and it is the strong soul that wins in the battle of life. But I am not going to preach.”
“Oh, I love to hear you talk!” declared the girl, still clinging to his hands. “There is always a lesson in what you say. I wonder how it is that you know so much.”
Frank laughed.
“You fancy I know so much, that’s all.”
“No. You never say foolish things.”
Then Frank blushed, for he thought of his college days, and he knew that a thousand foolish things had tripped lightly from his tongue in the badinage that prevailed on many an occasion.
“We are glad you have been promoted, Frank,” said the lame boy. “How did it happen? I am sure you deserved it.”
Then Frank told all about his capture of the wild engine, but he was forced to make the account of the adventure as mild as possible, for little Nell grew very excited over the thrilling parts.
“Oh, I knew you would stop it!” she exclaimed. “It is just like you! You always do such things.”