“Ah! what use do you expect to make of your purchases?” he asked.
“Badges for the school children. They are the national colors, you see, papa.”
“Yes; it is a good idea, and I presume the children will be much pleased. When do you propose to make your badges?”
“To-morrow, papa, while you and Max are off on your hunting expedition. But I mean to finish all this mending first.”
“That’s right. I am glad you have found something to do to keep you from being lonely while we are away. I should like to take you along but for exposing you to danger.”
“Mightn’t I as well be exposed to it as Max?” she asked in a playful tone.
“Max is older, and a boy,” he said. “You are very fearless, I know, but women and girls are not so strong physically as our sex, and it is not to be expected that they can endure the same amount of exposure and fatigue. You could hardly be of much assistance in fighting a grizzly, for instance,” he added laughingly, bending over her and softly smoothing her hair as he spoke.
“No, sir,” she returned, laughing a little; “I’m not fearless enough to enjoy the idea of facing one of them. And it frightens me to think of you and Max fighting one. Oh, papa, don’t try it!”
“My child, would you have your father a coward?” he asked.
“No, sir; oh, no, indeed! I know you are brave, as brave as can be, and it makes me very proud; but what’s the use of fighting bears?”