Now the strain of the war is over, are we going to let all this splendid spirit drop?
Suppose we fight our own battles as we fought our country's?
Let me feel I've still got a family of soldiers to be proud of." "You're the Colonel, then, of the new corps," said Egbert, with an affectionate bear-hug to the slight figure that was already making the black fire break into a blaze.

"You've pluck enough for the whole clan, little Mother o' mine! You shall sound your slogan and lead the attack on Fate till we get back to Rotherwood! There!" "I'm aiming at higher things than Rotherwood, darling boy!" said his mother gravely.
"_I_ know!" whispered Quenrede, squeezing the dear hand that reached out and clasped her own.

"I won't be a selfish beast any more.

I won't indeed.

Economizing shall be my New Year's cross!" "If we're going to count up crosses," proclaimed Athelstane humorously, "the orphan's fine voice while I'm studying is mine!" "But _she_ probably counts it her choicest blessing!" exclaimed Ingred.
And then the whole family broke out laughing, and Mother's little lecture ended in fun.