Nevertheless I recalled the incident of the dressmaker. Mother had no doubt made some savings in the matter of clothes and turned them in. Does not every one make his contribution to the wars? I immediately slipped out of the room and came back bringing the savings bank in which I had been encouraged to drop such little sous as I received. I expected an ovation for the magnanimity of my sacrifice. Without a word I handed it to my father.
“What do you want me to do with it?” was all his response.
Somewhat abashed, being gazed upon by all present, I said, blushing furiously:
“It is for the house.”
This time my father drew me to him and publicly gave me the accolade with the dazzling Order of the Day.
“This child will be our joy.”
Thus the Emperor rewarded his marshals on the field of battle; nothing in history is surprising to one who has had a childhood like mine.
Coming in while the bell was ringing, grandfather was the last one to learn what had happened. Aunt Deen informed him in a fiery harangue. He heard her with interest but without emotion, his serenity all undisturbed. And when the heroic story was finished he nodded his head, vouchsafing merely the words of faint admiration:
“Well, well! so much the better!”
Things had been arranged with no help from him.