"The usual kind, of course; religious fanaticism. It seems to
be catching."
"I have been in dangerous circumstances to day, then," said
the Captain. "I am afraid I have caught it. I feel as if
something was the matter with me."
"It will not improve you," said Mrs. Randolph, dryly.
"How has it wrought with Daisy?"
"Changed the child so that I do not recognise her. She never
set up her own will before; and now she is as difficult to
deal with as possible. She is an impersonation of obstinacy."
"Perhaps, after all, she is only following orders," said the
Captain, with daring coolness. "A soldier's duty makes him
terribly obstinate sometimes. You must excuse me, — but you
see I cannot help appreciating military qualities."
"Will you be good enough to say what you mean?" the lady
asked, with sufficient displeasure of manner.
"Only, that I believe in my soul Daisy takes her orders from
higher authority, than we do. And I have seen today — I
declare! I have seen a style of obedience and soldierly
following, that would win any sort of a field — ay, and die in
it!" added the Captain, musingly. "It is the sort of thing
that gets promotion from the ranks."
"How did all this happen to-day?" asked Mr.
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