There was a minute's silence during which Captain Basset pressed the little hand within his arm closer to his side; then he said quietly: "These are very dark days, but God is always with us. We must 'trust in Him at all times.' I read the other day these words: 'If the sun is going down look up to the stars. If the earth is dark keep your eye on heaven.' You will try to do that?"
"I will! I do! That is fighting the good fight, isn't it?"
Captain Basset assented. Before there was time for anything more to be said May appeared at the house door and beckoned them indoors to tea.
Mr. Basset, with his nephew and the two little girls, went to church in the evening, whilst his sister remained at home with Donald. On their return the church-goers found Donald in the hall, having evidently grown impatient waiting for them.
"How late you are!" he exclaimed, addressing May, who was looking her brightest; "you cannot have come straight home!"
"We met several people we knew and stopped talking to them," she answered, "that delayed us. I'm afraid you've had a dull evening."
"Much you care if I have!" he muttered, adding, "If you hadn't been selfish you'd have offered to stay at home with me!"
The words were intended for May's ears alone, but some one else heard them. As the little girls ran upstairs to take off their hats and jackets and Mr. Basset turned into the drawing-room, Captain Basset laid his hand on Donald's shoulder, and said very quietly—
"Why try to make that little sister of yours unhappy? I saw the brightness fade from her face as you spoke to her. I don't think she deserved to be called selfish."
Donald flushed hotly. He admired Captain Basset as a brave soldier, and would have liked to have had his good opinion. Captain Basset continued—