The cloud passed from Merriwell's face as his companion spoke, and, as Diamond finished, Frank reached out and took his hand.
"You are from the South, I from the North," he said, in his most charming manner; "yet we are broth
ers. In the North and in the South there are those who still entertain sectional feelings and prejudices, but the time will come when all this will pass away."
"I think it is fast passing," declared Jack.
"It is," nodded Frank. "So far as sectional feelings go, there should be no North, no South, no East, no West. We are all united under one flag, the most beautiful of all flags—the Star Spangled Banner! We are all citizens of one country, the greatest and grandest the sun ever shone upon! We should be ready at any time to lay down our lives for our flag and our country."
Diamond's eyes flashed, and it seemed that the noble look on Frank Merriwell's face was reflected in Jack's. His blood was stirred by the grandest of all emotions—patriotism. Looking at the Virginian at that moment, no one could for an instant doubt his courage and his loyalty.
"I believe we should pay more attention to the early history of our country, when North and South were united against a common foe," continued Frank. "That is what will arouse true patriotism. Massa
chusetts had her Tea Party, but Virginia had her—Washington!"
Jack Diamond bared his head.
"Merriwell," he said, with great earnestness, "the greatest enemies of our country are those who try to arouse sectional feeling. I am sure of that."