“But you would follow us into the middle of the battle’s horrors?”
“Yes, sir, I would indeed; indeed I would,” cried Marcus, eagerly.
“I believe you, my boy, and all the more for your simple honesty of speech.”
“And you will prevail upon my father to let me go?” cried Marcus, appealingly.
“I do not know,” said Julius, thoughtfully. “You say that you have begged hard and your father says that you must stay?”
“Yes,” cried Marcus, “but you have the power, sir, and you will speak to him and tell him that he must take me?” cried Marcus.
Julius shook his head.
“Let me see,” he said; “you told me that you would try to be brave.”
Marcus felt that his hopes were vain, but he spoke out desperately:
“Yes, I would indeed try to be as brave and firm as I could.”