"Yes, but I did not tell you the talk at the breakfast table before the fracas began. Papa begged me not to talk about it, but I feel as though I _can_ tell you now, and will." "Of course you can, and you will tell me everything," laughed Ralph. "We are all one now, that makes a delightful difference." But she had no sooner told him of Jordan's joke at their expense than he exclaimed angrily: "Ridiculous defeat! O the brute! How I wish I had been there to answer him. He insulted you and the country at the same time." "But you were not there, Ralph, and I don't know but I'm glad of it; for there is something ridiculous about it. Only think of it, Ralph! Fighting for freedom--and then deliberately turning the day that commemorates it over to careless children and irresponsible criminals, and flying away from it as though a legion of devils were let loose! You see, Ralph, it hurt me more to think that it really was ridiculous, than because Colonel Jordon said it was; but I had to keep it to myself." "You could have talked to me, if I had been there, to your heart's content, you know you could, Ruth, and I would have talked to the insolent Colonel to _my_ heart's content. He must have had the epidermis of a rhinocerous or he would have known better." "Papa had a long talk with him after the Bearingtons left. I don't know what was said, but his manner changed entirely and for the worse--that is, I mean, he was more disagreeable to me than before--in a way--" "I understand," said Ralph in a passion. "He pitied you and made love to you! The impudent rascal!" "Yes, Ralph; but I will say this to his credit. He had the good sense to retreat when he saw that his attentions were disagreeable." "Humph!" said Ralph. Ruth knew that "_humph_" was a sign that his jealous wrath was effervescing and that she might continue to pour out the feelings which had been shut away from him for three distressful years. She had a whole heart full of them now. "Do you know, Ralph, I begin to think there's no use of going away any more to get rid of the horrible Fourth. It goes with me or comes to me, wherever I go--this terrible monster to which my little brother was sacrificed. Every year counts thousands of victims and every year more and more! O, how many homes will be made desolate on the day that is fast coming! How many beautiful and precious mothers' sons will be defaced or disfigured for life? Between three and four thousand was the death and accident roll last year. How many will it count this year and who and how many of our little circle will be among the hurt or slain?" "The Lord only knows, Ruth; but I mean to know something about the why and wherefore of the increase of the Independence Day death roll in _this_ town. I have been looking it up and it is something appalling."