William paused for some moments, with a thoughtful countenance. He was weighing the fear of bodily pain against his love for Ellen. At last he said, with the moisture dimming his eyes,
“No! I would not have been sorry, father.”
“Why not, William?”
“Because, I would only have been badly hurt; while, if I had not been along with her, sister might have been killed.”
“Very true, my dear boy! And now, you remember how often I have talked to you about selfishness, and what an evil thing this selfishness is?”
“Yes, father.”
“Well, this feeling of timidity, which you indulge so much, is a selfish feeling.”
“Selfish, father! How can that be?”
“Because there is nothing in it of self-sacrifice for the happiness or comfort of others.”
“I cannot understand you, father.”