"And so," he added, his voice rising with every word, "you added insult to injury; and having forced the nation's banner to the earth, you deliberately turned your back on it and came away?"
Pen did not answer. He could not.
"I say," repeated the colonel, "you deliberately turned your back on it, and came away?"
"Yes, sir."
Colonel Butler crossed back to the fire-place, and then he strode into the hall. He put on his hat and was struggling into his overcoat when his daughter came in from the dining-room and discovered him.
"Why, father!" she exclaimed, "where are you going?"
"I am going," he replied, "to perform a patriotic duty."
"Oh, don't go out again to-night," she pleaded. "You've had a hard trip to-day, and you're tired. Let Pen do your errand. Pen, come here!"
The boy came at her bidding. The colonel paused to consider.
"On second thought," he said, finally, "it may be better that I should not go in person. Penfield, you will go at once, wherever it may be necessary, and inquire as to the present condition and location of the American flag belonging to the Chestnut Hill school, and return and report to me."