In the midst of these cruel forebodings he heard his name called, and he went back into the office.
Major Starbird's look was still keen, and his voice was still forbidding.
"I do not want," he said, "to be too hasty in my judgments. My nephew tells me that Henry Cobb has given you an excellent recommendation, and we place great reliance on Mr. Cobb's opinion. It may be that your offense has been exaggerated, or that you have some explanation which will mitigate it. If you have any excuse to offer I shall be glad to hear it."
"I don't think," replied Pen frankly, "that there was any excuse for doing what I did. Only—it seems to me—I've suffered enough for it. And I never—never had anything against the flag."
He was so earnest, and his voice was so tremulous with emotion, that the heart of the old soldier could not help but be stirred with pity.
"I have fought for my country," he said, "and I reverence her flag. And I cannot have, in my employ, any one who is disloyal to it."
"I am not disloyal to it, sir. I—I love it."
"Would you be willing to die for it, as I have been?"
"I would welcome the chance, sir."
Major Starbird turned to his nephew.