“Well, you quoted Scripture against us, and you know you can't stand up against Scripture and hope to win, can you?” said Duckworth with a laugh. “Sit down here beside me, Mr. Duckworth,” she said, her eyes shining. “I won't pretend not to understand you;” she continued when he had taken his place beside her. “I can't tell you how proud I am of you.” “Thank you,” said Duckworth. “I like to hear that. You see I never thought about it very much. I am not excusing myself.” “No, I know you are not, but I heard about it, Mr. Duckworth. We all think so much of you. I am sure your mother is proud of you.” Young Duckworth sat silent, his eyes fastened upon the ground. “Please forgive me. Perhaps she is--no longer with you,” said Mrs. Gwynne softly, laying her hand upon his. Duckworth nodded, refusing to look at her and keeping his lips firmly pressed together. “I was wrong in what I said just now,” she continued. “She is with you still; she knows and follows all your doings, and I believe she is proud of you.” Duckworth cleared his throat and said with an evident effort, “You made me think of her to-day, and I simply had to play up. I must go now. I must see the fellows.” He rose quickly to his feet. “Come and see us, won't you?” said Mrs. Gwynne. “Won't I just,” replied Duckworth, holding her hand a moment or two. “I can't tell you how glad I am that I met you to-day.” “Oh, wait, Mr. Duckworth. Nora, come here. I want you to meet my second daughter. Nora, this is Mr. Duckworth, the Captain.” “Oh, I know him, the Captain of the enemy,” cried Nora. “Of our friends, Nora,” said her mother. “All right, of our friends, now that we have beaten you, but I want to tell you, Mr. Duckworth, that I could gladly have slain you many times to-day.” “And why, pray?” “Oh, you were so terribly dangerous, and as for Larry, why you just played with him. It was perfectly maddening to me.” “All the same your brother got away from me and shot the winning goal. He's fearfully fast.” “A mere fluke, I tell him.” “Don't you think it for one little minute. It was a neat bit of work.” CHAPTER X THE SPIRIT Of CANADA Whatever it was that rendered it necessary for Duckworth to “see the fellows,” that necessity vanished in the presence of Nora. “Are you going to take in the polo?” he asked. “Am I? Am I going to continue breathing?” cried Nora. “Come along, Mother, we must go if we are to get a good place.”