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Please do not smile at Robert Nancarrow's somewhat highfalutin talk, and set him down as a conceited prig. Every young fellow who has ever done or been anything in the world, has at some time in his life had such thoughts. Sad will it be for England as a nation when our boys do not dream impossible dreams, and think thoughts which wiseacres call foolishness.
You see I believe in what my father taught me," and he looked towards the fireplace, over which hung Dr. Nancarrow's picture. "Perhaps it is in my blood, perhaps I don't know; anyhow, I think my hand would shrivel up if I tried to sign my name as a soldier." "But you have a mother, Bob, a mother whose name was Trelawney, and the Trelawneys have never failed in time of need.
One end of Paradise Street joins the Walk, and into that she turned. If only there were a chance of Totty Nancarrow's being at home! But Totty was very regular at work. Still, an inquiry at the door would be no harm. Little Jack Bunce was standing in the open doorway; he had a rueful countenance, marked with recent tears.
In a way he wondered at himself, and he realised that there was more than one kind of courage. He, himself, had called Bob Nancarrow a coward, because he refused to enlist. Now he realised that there was more courage in Bob Nancarrow's cowardice than in his own bravery. Oh, it was all an awful muddle!
There were only two chairs in the room; the table had to be placed so that the bed could serve for sitting. The tea-service was, to say the least, primitive; four cups there were, but only two saucers survived, and a couple of teaspoons had to be shared harmoniously. No one ever gave a thought to such trifles at Totty Nancarrow's.
She was thinking over all these things a week before Christmas. It was Sunday afternoon, and, for a wonder, she was sitting alone in her room. Mr. Bunce was at home, or she would have had little Nelly to keep her company. Still, she said to herself that she was not sorry to have a minute or two to put certain things straight in her mind. What a mind it was, Totty Nancarrow's!
'Do you know whether Miss Nancarrow's in? Thyrza asked of the little fellow. He regarded her, and nodded silently. 'Really? She's really in? 'Yes, she's up in her room, was the grave answer. Thyrza ran upstairs. A tap at the door, and Totty's voice unmistakable gave admission. The girl sat sewing; on the bed lay a child, asleep.
I thought; "nothing can be more reasonable." Much to the surprise of every one, news came on July 26 that Austria regarded Servia's answer as unsatisfactory, and that the Austro-Hungarian Minister, with the Legation Staff, had left Belgrade on the previous day. On July 28 I called at Mrs. Nancarrow's house, where I saw Bob reading the newspaper with a smile on his face.
"I've won my box of chocolates, Captain Trevanion," Nancy could not help saying, as they walked to the thirteenth tee. "Even if you win the next two holes you can only be dormy at the fourteenth." "I shall buy the chocolates with all the pleasure in the world," replied the Captain. "You see, I didn't reckon on that brassy of Nancarrow's at the tenth."
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