“I think the difference lies in this, that, if I understand rightly what you mean, and what I suppose is commonly meant by pluck, it may be found, and often is found, where there is no moral element in it at all.”
“I don’t quite see it, auntie.”
“Do you not? then I must go to examples to show what I mean. I heard you tell a story the other day at breakfast of what you called a very ‘plucky’ thing on the part of your friend Saunders.”
“What! the fight he had with some bargees? Oh yes, I remember.”
“Now, Walter, what were the circumstances of that fight?”
“Ah, I remember; and I think I see what you are driving at, Aunt Kate. Saunders, who is only a slightly-built fellow, and almost as thin as a whipping post, got into a row with some of those canal men; he wanted them to turn out of his way, or to let him pass and go through a lock before them, and they wouldn’t.”
“And did he ask them civilly?”
“Nay, Aunt Kate, not he. No, I’m sorry to say he swore at them; for he’s a very hasty fellow with his tongue is Saunders.”
“And were the bargemen unreasonably hindering him?”
“I can’t say that. They were just going into the lock when he rowed up, and he wanted them to get out of his way and let him go into the lock first. I don’t think myself that he was right.”