"You should call it a label, as Dr. Quackenboss does," said Fleda in a fresh burst,--"he says he never would stand being labelled!"--
"But come back to the point," said Charlton,--"I want to know what is the label in this case, that Fleda's doings put upon those of other people?"
"Insignificance," said his father dryly.
"I should like to know how bestowed," said Charlton.
"Don't enlighten him, uncle Rolf," said Fleda laughing,--"let my doings remain in safe obscurity,--please!"
"I stand as a representative of mankind," said Charlton, "and I demand an explanation."
"Look at what this slight frame and delicate nerves have been found equal to, and then tell me if the broad shoulders of all your mess would have borne half the burden or their united heads accomplished a quarter the results."
He spoke with sufficient depth of meaning, though now with no unpleasant expression. But Charlton notwithstanding rather gathered himself up.
"O uncle Rolf," said Fleda gently,--"nerves and muscles haven't much to do with it--after all you know I have just served the place of a mouth-piece. Seth was the head, and good Earl Douglass the hand."
"I am ashamed of myself and of mankind," Mr. Rossitur repeated, "when I see what mere weakness can do, and how proudly valueless strength is contended to be. You are looking, Capt. Rossitur,--but after all a cap and plume really makes a man taller only to the eye."