“I might not if I had been able to get off the main line onto the switch,” laughed Frank.
“Oh, I believe you would—I believe you would have followed and captured the engine.”
Frank felt that it was an inspiration to know some one had such confidence in him. The person who knows brave and noble things are expected of him is more likely to be brave and noble than one who realizes that no one has confidence in him.
Little Jack hopped about getting supper ready, while Frank sat beside the bed and talked to Nellie. While he was near her face bore an expression of perfect contentment and happiness. To him she was just a dear, frail, little child who had found a place in his heart by her innocence and her gentleness. To her he was the one great hero of whom she had dreamed, and she loved and revered him more than words could express.
Sometimes she had longed to ask him many questions about himself, but she had been afraid to do so, and, for the most part, he had remained silent. Now, however, she plucked up courage enough to ask some questions, and Frank told her about his early school days, about his mother who was dead, about his life at Fardale and Yale, and about the two girls, Inza Burrage and Elsie Bellwood, who had been so dear to him.
As he spoke of Inza and Elsie, her hands gripped his fingers a bit tighter, and it seemed that her blind eyes were looking into his with a wistful expression. She showed the deepest interest then, and, when he ceased speaking, she asked him to describe both girls to her.
He did so, telling of Inza first. She listened, seeming to hush her breathing, so eager was she. When he had finished describing Inza’s striking beauty and spirited ways, a sigh escaped the listener’s lips—a sight of relief.
“Ah!” she said, with a faint smile; “you cared for her because she was so handsome.”
“No, no!” cried Frank, quickly. “Inza is a splendid girl. She is a girl of whom any fellow would be proud.”
“I believe that, but still—— Tell me of Elsie.”