"If I were a Son of the Revolution," said Emily, "I'd go to Cuba
and help free it."

"Don't talk nonsense," cried David. "If I did that I'd lose my
job, and we'd never be able to marry. Besides, what's Cuba done
for me? All I know about Cuba is, I once smoked a Cuban cigar and
it made me ill."

"Did Lafayette talk like that?" demanded Emily. "Did he ask what
have the American rebels ever done for me?"

"If I were in Lafayette's class," sighed David, "I wouldn't be
selling automatic punches."

"There's your trouble," declared Emily "You lack self-
confidence. You're too humble, you've got fighting blood and you
ought to keep saying to yourself, 'Blood will tell,' and the
first thing you know, it WILL tell! You might begin by going into
politics in your ward. Or, you could join the militia. That takes
only one night a week, and then, if we DID go to war with Spain,
you'd get a commission, and come back a captain!"

Emily's eyes were beautiful with delight. But the sight gave
David no pleasure. In genuine distress, he shook his head.

"Emily," he said, "you're going to be awfully disappointed in
me."

Emily's eyes closed as though they shied at some mental picture.
But when she opened them they were bright, and her smile was kind