“Yes, Sally.”
“I was afraid this afternoon when the robbers attacked us. What if I were to be fearful all the time?”
“We must not be, Sally,” spoke Peggy quickly. “’Twould wherrit these kind friends if we were to show fear. They will take excellent care of us, and take us home soon, I make no doubt.”
“Isn’t thee ever afraid, Peggy?”
“Why, yes; of course,” answered Peggy. “Every one is, I think. But mother told me once never to anticipate trouble, and so I try not to think about what might happen. We must be bright and cheerful whatever occurs. It should be easy for thee, Sally. Thee is always happy in the hospital.”
“That is because I have something to do,” responded Sally sagely. “If one is so busy that one has no time to think one can’t be afraid.”
“I make no doubt then thee will soon have plenty to occupy thee when Fairfax joins his company, Sally.”
Sally laughed as Peggy had intended she should.
“I like Fairfax,” she said with emphasis. “But didst notice, Peggy? He spoke not once to either of us after we entered the house. Truly, his diffidence doth envelop him like a mantle; yet, when those robbers were giving us chase, he had no difficulty in telling us just what to do. Indeed, he was then as much at ease in speaking to us as thy father or Robert would have been.”
“Then he was doing ‘man’s duty,’” laughed Peggy. “’Tis marvelous how an emergency doth make him shed his shyness.”