“And what else shall I do?”
“Well, you must go to see Mr. Barriscale, and acknowledge your offense, and submit to whatever penalty he imposes on you.”
At the grim possibilities of such an interview Hal became really frightened. The idea of having to face Mr. Barriscale personally had not before occurred to him. He was willing to take the broken statuary home, and to pay for the damage done, in any way that was possible to him; but to present himself as an offender before the stern and autocratic Mr. Barriscale, that was a part of his punishment the thought of which struck terror to his heart. For the first time in his life the spirit of cowardice entered into his soul.
“I can’t face Mr. Barriscale, father,” he said. “He’s too severe. He’d frighten me to death.”
Captain McCormack straightened up in his chair and looked his son in the eyes.
“I’ve heard you say,” he replied, “that when you reach the proper age you want to be a member of my company of the National Guard. Is that still true?”
“Why, yes; I think I’d like to be a soldier.”
“Well, a soldier must never be afraid to face whatever duty lies before him. His own comfort and safety must be a second consideration. He must always be brave enough to be fair and honorable. If he is not he has no business to be a soldier.”
Hal had risen from the table, and he stood for a moment in serious thought. At last he said simply: