Why, papa, I am a year older than ensign Wade,
have almost as much beard to my chin, and, but for my sex, would make
quite as good a soldier."
"I am content, however, to have you as you are, and would not exchange
you for a regiment of the best boys in England."
"Better one daughter than a thousand sons," said Lady Mabel, "for they
would make a cumbersome family."
"You are a cumbersome baggage yourself," said Lord Strathern. "Just
see the endless litter of flowers, leaves, yea, branches of trees,
with which you cumber the house. We will have to apply to the
quartermaster for the use of a returning supply-train to convey your
botanical treasures to Lisbon, and we will have to charter a vessel
there to carry them home. Dr. Graham's study will not contain all you
collect for him. You must have exhausted the neighborhood."
"In one sense I am afraid we have. Colonel L'Isle tells me that we
have explored almost every part of the country immediately around
Elvas."
"I am sorry we are tied down to this one spot," said her father. "As
you have never been from home before, I would wish you to see as much
as possible of this country. But I must stick close to the brigade, at
hand for orders at any moment.
Pages:
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128