‘I like it very much,’ answered Phyllis, ‘only I cannot think why _Jacks_ did not go to the poor stag, and try to cure it, when he saw its tears running into the water.’ To save the character of _Jacks_, Claude gravely suggested the difficulty of catching the stag, and then asked Phyllis her opinion of the heroines. ‘Oh! it was very funny about Rosalind dressing like a man, and then being ready to cry like a girl when she was tired, and then pretending to pretend to be herself; and Celia, it was very kind of her to go away with Rosalind; but I should have liked her better if she had stayed at home, and persuaded her father to let Rosalind stay too. I am sure she would if she had been like Ada. Then it is so nice about Old Adam and Orlando. Do not you think so, Claude? It is just what I am sure Wat Greenwood would do for Redgie, if he was to be turned out like Orlando.’ ‘It is just what Wat Greenwood’s ancestor did for Sir Maurice Mohun,’ said Claude. ‘Yes, Dame Greenwood tells us that story.’ ‘Well, Phyl, I think you show very good taste in liking the scene between Orlando and Adam.’ ‘I am glad you like it, too, Claude. But I will tell you what I like best,’ exclaimed the little girl, springing up, ‘I do like it, when Orlando killed the lioness and the snake,—and saved Oliver; how glad he must have been.’ ‘Glad to have done good to his enemy,’ said Claude; ‘yes, indeed.’ ‘His enemy! he was his brother, you know. I meant it must be so very nice to save anybody—don’t you think so, Claude?’ ‘Certainly.’ ‘Claude, do you know there is nothing I wish so much as to save somebody’s life. It was very nice to save the dragon-fly; and it is very nice to let flies out of spiders’ webs, only they always have their legs and wings torn, and look miserable; and it was very nice to put the poor little thrushes back into their nest when they tumbled out, and then to see their mother come to feed them; and it was very pleasant to help the poor goose that had put its head through the pales, and could not get it back. Mrs. Harrington said it would have been strangled if I had not helped it. That was very nice, but how delightful it would be to save some real human person’s life.’ Claude did not laugh at the odd medley in her speech, but answered, ‘Well, those little things train you in readiness and kindness.’ ‘Will they?’ said Phyllis, pressing on to express what had long been her earnest wish. ‘If I could but save some one, I should not mind being killed myself—I think not—I hope it is not naughty to say so. I believe there is something in the Bible about it, about laying down one’s life for one’s friend.’ ‘There is, Phyl, and I quite agree with you; it must be a great blessing to have saved some one.’