"If you were bent on it, like a patriot, as you must be, you could run away and enlist. I don't know but I shall do that when I get back to China."
"I don't like to do any thing to make my poor father unhappy. I am afraid my absence now, without his knowing where I am, or whether I am dead or alive, will bring on a fit of sickness."
"But I am sure he would be very proud of you if you should run away and join the army."
"Perhaps he would; but I should not feel very proud of myself if I did a thing like that. I am only afraid I shall meet my brother, Major Pierson, and that he will make me go into some regiment against the wishes of my father and mother. He is not willing to hear a word from either of them," replied Percy, disgusted with the prospect before him.
"He is very patriotic," suggested Christy.
"He is altogether too patriotic for me. But don't misunderstand me: I am really very anxious to go into the army, and fight the enemies of my country."
"I see that you are, and perhaps you and I had better run away and enlist."
"My conscience would not let me do that contrary to the wishes of my parents," replied Percy, shaking his head vigorously.
"But you may not see your brother the major; for probably he has been ordered away with his regiment before this time," said his companion in comforting tones, though he was not as sincere as he generally was.
"I am afraid I shall; and I fear, that, in the absence of my father, he would put me into the ranks in spite of all I could do."