“Now, boys, we have done it,” said he, “and so will go back to work. From now on you are my comrades in the fight.”
His eyes were dim; his breast heaved; his voice shook. Hilda was weeping from excitement. Through the tears she saw them all looking at their leader, and in the worn, hard faces glowed the affection and admiration of a dog for its master. Something there was especially touching in this, for strong men rarely show it. She felt a great wave of excitement sweep over her. Instantly she was standing by Thorpe, her eyes streaming, her breast throbbing with emotion.
“Oh!” she cried, stretching her arms out to them passionately, “Oh! I love you; I love you all!”