Now she chose to electrify her family by taking up the theme where Master Wilcox had left it. First casting a bright, approving glance in his direction, which caused that ardent youth to blush more crimson than before, she proceeded to expound her views upon the subject with a directness that amused the apprentices mightily and horrified her mother and sister. "Rob is right, dad. ’Tis mighty unfair to speak thus of the Duke’s men because they fell into the Bussex Rhine instead of winning the victory. For all the world knows they had won if—if they had not been defeated. For my part, I am for the Duke and for all who rode with him. And I think ’twas splendid of Sir Rupert," she added, with a bright glance at Lady Cicely, who could not resist a grateful smile in return, at her saucy defender. Mistress Lane frowned sharply, but the merchant only shook his head indulgently at his spoiled daughter. "What! here is a traitor indeed. Has my little Prue turned political?" "Nay, dad, I care naught for politics, I only say ’tis finer to risk life and fortune and all for—for principles, whatever they be, than to sit year in and year out among ledgers and wool bales and to care nothing for country and church, but think only how to keep a whole skin and get money enow to live at ease and grow fat. ’Tis contemptible. Nay, daddie, I meant not you," she added penitently. "You have fought, I know well. I spake but of younger men who had as lief see their country go to rack and ruin as risk a crown of their wealth or a scratch to their finger to set it to rights." She paused out of breath with her torrent of indignation. Her father laid his hand on hers tenderly and shook his head gravely at her words. "Nay, Prudence, Robert, children both, you know nought of the matter. Perchance I spake unkindly of the rebels. I would not be unjust. But I am growing an old man, I have passed through one civil war, and I pray Heaven night and day that England may never see another. Had you been living as was I through those terrible years, had you seen the country devastated, families divided, brother against brother, aye, father even drawing sword upon his own son; homes ruined, wives widowed, children left fatherless through the whole length and breadth of the land—had you seen these things, my children, you would understand better why I speak thus harshly of those who raise the standard of rebellion within our fair realm. Men may use all just, all peaceful means of redressing their grievances, but should they fail, then, I say, ’twere better to endure those grievances, aye, even injustice, in silence, than bring the curse of civil war upon their country." There was silence for a space. Then Prudence, whom no solemnity could long depress, again broke out merrily: "For all that, daddie, the Duke’s a main handsome man, and one worthy to be followed."