"That's your humble servant," said the major. "I haven't a notion what you or the author you quote means, though I don't doubt both of you mean well, and that you are a most courageous and indeed heroic young woman. For all that it is time your friends interfered; and I am going to write by the next post to let your father know how you are misbehaving yourself." "They will not believe me quite so bad as I fear you will represent me." "I don't know. I must write anyhow." "That they may order me home to give them the small-pox? Wouldn't it be better to wait and be sure I had not taken it already? Your letter, too, might carry the infection. I think you had better not write." "You persist in making fun of it! I say again it is not a thing to be joked about," remarked the major, looking red. "I think," returned Hester, "whoever lives in terror of infection had better take it and have done with it. I know I would rather die than live in the fear of death. It is the meanest of slaveries. At least, to live a slave to one's fears is next worst to living a slave to one's likings. Do as you please, major Marvel, but I give you warning that if you interpose--I will not say _interfere_--because you do it all for kindness--but if you interpose, I will never ask you to help me again; I will never let you know what I am doing, or come to you for advice, lest, instead of assisting me, you should set about preventing me from doing what I may have to do." She held out her hand to him, adding with a smile: "Is it for good-bye, or a compact?" "But just look at it from my point of view," said the major, disturbed by the appeal. "What will your father say if he finds me aiding and abetting?" "You did not come up at my father's request, or from the least desire on his part to have me looked after. You were not put in charge of me, and have no right to suppose me doing anything my parents would not like. They never objected to my going among my friends as I thought fit. Possibly they had more faith in my good sense, knowing me better than major Marvel." "But when one sees you doing the thing that is plainly wrong----" "If it be so plainly wrong, how is it that I who am really anxious to do right, should not see it wrong? Why should you think me less likely to know what is right than you, major Marvel?" "I give in," said the major, "and will abide by the consequences." "But you shall not needlessly put yourself in danger. You must not come to me except I send for you. If you hear anything of Corney, write, please." "You don't imagine," cried the major, firing up, "that I am going to turn tail where you advance? I'm not going to run from the small-pox any more than you. So long as he don't get on my back to hunt other people, I don't care. By George! you women have more courage ten times than we men!"