"I wish people would not fight at all," I said, with my heart straitened.
"Of course; but here we are in it, or they are; and it is the same thing. Don't you think they can get through it without me? or do you say as your mother, - 'Every one go!' "
He looked at me more earnestly than was pleasant, and I was greatly at a loss what to answer. It was wisest for me not to commit myself to a course opposed to my mother's; and yet, truth is wisest of all. I looked to see Ransom and Mr. De Saussure, but they were not in sight.
"You are not speaking in jest," I said; "and I have no business to speak in earnest."
"You never speak any other way," he rejoined. "Tell me your mind. You are never violent; do you feel as Mrs. Randolph does about it? Would you like me better if I went heart and soul into the fray at home?"
"That would depend upon the-views and motives with which you went into it."
"Well - if I did it for love of you?" he said smiling.
"I cannot imagine that anybody should do such a thing for love of me. Nothing but the strongest and purest convictions of duty can justify such a thing as fighting."
"I suppose I know what that means," he said somewhat gloomily.
"No," said I hastily, "I don't think you do."