"
"Thank you," he answered. "And after all, there's no harm in a
little fighting. It's better to fight and have done with it than
keeping on plotting between compliments. Nations arc just like
schoolboys, you know; there has to be a round now and then; it
settles things, and is good for the blood."
Otway was biting a blade of grass; he smiled and said nothing. Mrs.
Borisoff glanced from him to Irene, who also was smiling, but looked
half vexed.
"How can it be good, for health or anything else?" Miss Derwent
asked suddenly, turning to the speaker.
"Oh, we couldn't do without fighting. It's in human nature."
"In uncivilised human nature, yes."
"But really, you know," urged March, with good-natured deference,
"it wouldn't do to civilise away pluck--courage--heroism--
whatever one likes to call it."
"Of course it wouldn't. But what has pluck or heroism to do with
bloodshed? How can anyone imagine that courage is only shown in
fighting? I don't happen to have been in a battle, but one knows
very well how easy it must be for any coward or brute, excited to
madness, to become what's called a hero. Heroism is noble courage in
ordinary life. Are you serious in thinking that life offers no
opportunities for it?"
"Well--it's not quite the same thing----"
"Happily, not! It's a vastly better thing. Every day some braver
deed is done by plain men and women--yes, women, if you please--
than was ever known on the battle-field.
Pages:
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459