“Afraid of them!” said the boy, in scornful surprise. “Not if they were twice as more and twice as beeg.”
Mrs. Murray saw her advantage, and followed it up.
“And the minister did not know the whole truth, Ranald, and he was sorry he spoke to you as he did.”
“Did he say that?” said Ranald, in surprise. It was to him, as to any one in that community, a terrible thing to fall under the displeasure of the minister and to be disgraced in his eyes.
“Yes, indeed, Ranald, and he would be sorry if you should go away. I am sure he would blame himself.”
This was quite a new idea to the boy. That the minister should think himself to be in the wrong was hardly credible.
“And how glad we would be,” she continued, earnestly, “to see you prove yourself a man before them all.”
Ranald shook his head. “I would rather go away.”
“Perhaps, but it's braver to stay, and to do your work like a man.” And then, allowing him no time for words, she pictured to him the selfish, cowardly part the man plays who marches bravely enough in the front ranks until the battle begins, but who shrinks back and seeks an easy place when the fight comes on, till his face fell before her in shame. And then she showed him what she would like him to do, and what she would like him to be in patience and in courage, till he stood once more erect and steady.
“Now, Ranald,” she said, noting the effect of her words upon him, “what is it to be?”