“But if we win,” exclaimed Theria, “then Athens will be safe!”
“Yes, if we win,” he repeated. “If we lose, the Persians will march direct upon Athens and upon us.”
“Oh, could the Athenians do nothing? Nothing?”
“Nothing to save their city, my child. Even Themistocles says that in that case the citizens must flee to the isle of Salamis.” Nikander was by this time lost in the subject uppermost in his heart. “But the Athenian fleet would fight. They are very confident of their fleet in Salamis Bay. They can tempt the Persians into the small bay where skill will count more than numbers. The crowding of the Persian ships might—— But, child, why do I tell you this? I have the habit of it because you never tell what is told you. But this is most seriously secret.”
“And you know I will keep it so,” she said with a little dignified uplift of her head which gave him a sudden pleasure and pride. Silence fell between them. They sat impatiently waiting, the courage of one of them oozing fast. They could hear again the moaning of the Pythia with now and then a miserable, delirious scream.
At last the old house mistress appeared.
“You are to come with me,” she said to Theria.
Nikander rose and took his daughter’s hand for good-bye. But as he kissed her a bitter tumult seized him. He hid his face in his cloak and hurried from the room.