Hadn't you better go back to school, and stay till the trouble's over ?" "What!" cried Ralph fiercely.
"You surely don't want to fight, boy ?" "No, father, I don't want to fight; but if you are obliged to--Oh, father, you will not send me away ?" Sir Morton looked searchingly at the flushed countenance before him for some moments before speaking.
"If you wish to stay, Ralph, certainly I shall not send you away.

I only gave you the opportunity to go if you wished.

However, perhaps we shall hear no more of the matter.

Eden may not listen to that scoundrel.

If he does, we may set to work and furbish up our arms, lay in stores of provisions, and be prepared for our defence." "Then I hope he will engage the men, father," cried Ralph.
"Eh?
And pray why, boy ?" exclaimed Sir Morton.
"Because, father," said the lad, speaking in a deeply-moved tone of voice, his eyes flashing and his cheeks flushed.