“You must put yourself in a humble position, to begin with.”
“I’ll do it!” exclaimed he, with enthusiasm. “I’ll do anything you say, if it is to go down on my knees before the ragged little rowdies in the streets of Centreport.”
“I shall not advise you to do anything of that kind; but, under the circumstances, I should resign the positions of major and president.”
“Resign them!”
“Yes; I would show the fellows first that I am as willing to obey as I am to command. The fellows mean mutiny, both in the steamboat company and in the battalion.”
“I’ll do it. What next?” he asked, rubbing his hands, in humble imitation of his magnificent father, when he was pleased.
“I should take my place in the battalion as a private, do my duty faithfully, and obey my officers in every respect. As a stockholder in the company, I should behave modestly, and not attempt to carry my points by bullying, or any other unfair practises. In any and every capacity, if I had an opportunity to do a kindness to either friend or enemy, I should do it, even at some considerable personal sacrifice. But I don’t wish to burden you with my opinions.”
“I thought you would tell me to go to the Sunday-school, or something of that sort.”
“I certainly recommend that; but I was speaking only of your relations with the boys in the vicinity. If you have a good heart, you will do your duty.”
“There will be a meeting of the steamboat company next week. I will have my resignation ready. Oh, I am in earnest,” protested Waddie.