Patty drew a sigh of relief. “Just what I thought,” she said. “But I’m frightened, Philip. I feel so weak, so inexperienced, to defend these secrets. It is a terrible responsibility.”
“It is, Patty, of course. But, look at it this way. Whatever Farnsworth asks of you, he feels you are capable of accomplishing. So, make good,—justify his faith in you, by bravely accepting the responsibility, and succeeding in the task.”
“I can do anything when I feel I’m helping him,” said Patty, softly. “Anything to help him along, with
Colours flying for Victory,
For the Flag and the Girl back home!”
“Of course you can.”
Van Reypen’s heart contracted as he looked at Patty’s lovely face, aglow with love and patriotism. He was slowly but very surely coming round to the opinion that he could never win her heart away from Farnsworth. He had hoped to do this, not in any dishonourable way, but only in confidence of his own devotion, and a hope that Patty’s affection for Farnsworth was but a temporary infatuation.
But it was becoming more and more clear to him, that Patty’s heart was given once and for all time to his rival, and though deeply disappointed, Phil was man enough not to whine.
Besides, his motto was, “the game’s never out till it’s played out,” and he had not yet abandoned all hope. Also, he was absolutely fair, and never by word or implication said anything to Farnsworth’s disparagement or obtruded himself unduly.
“That’s what I sing every time I go up in my airplane,” he said. “For the Flag and the Girl back home!”