“Let us walk, by all means,” promptly replied Rosemary. Then went downstairs together and set out for a brisk rate down Pennsylvania Avenue. It was a fine morning, with a bright sun, and a deep blue sky mottled lightly with feathery white clouds, as became an April day. “You must keep up your heart, little girl,” said the old man, as they walked on. “I do try to do so. I have trust in the Lord; and, under Him, in you, Uncle Gideon. But oh! when I think of how the news affected her, my heart almost dies in my breast,” sighed the girl. “Mrs. Force, do you mean?” “Yes, of course.” “But why?” “Oh, don’t you see? If the news of Roland’s danger affected her so greatly, his state must be very serious.” “My dear, Roland may have had nothing to do with the lady’s attack. It looks to me as if it was an apoplectic fit, such as might have happened to any middle-aged man or woman without any outside cause. Besides, I never heard of Mrs. Force taking the least interest in the young man, or even the slightest notice of him beyond mere civility.” “Yes, she did—I am sure she did! I always thought—but indeed I hardly know why I thought so—that she was kinder to me on account of Roland. She always sympathized with me. And it was the news of Roland’s peril that brought on her illness—I know it was!” “How do you know it, my dear?” “Because I was watching her while Wynnette was reading the paper. I was almost ready to die with my trouble, and I was looking to her for help and comfort—because she always sympathized with me—and I saw her start, and her eyes grow wide and scared, and her face turn white; and then I saw her rise to leave the room. And then, but not till then, the others saw her, and went to her; but she sent them all back. And I knew it was about Roland, and I thought there was no hope for him, and I fell to screaming. Oh, uncle, it was so very bad in me to go on screaming so, but I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t faint and forget all about it, like Amanda Fitzallen used to do when she couldn’t stand things any longer, so I had to keep screaming. If I hadn’t I do think my heart would have bursted!” “It was all quite enough to frighten you into hysterics, my poor little girl, when I was not on hand to reassure you. But still, my dear, in future you must control yourself. There is nothing more contemptible in this world than a man or woman who cannot control himself or herself.” “But, uncle—my heart would have bursted if I hadn’t screamed.” “Then, my dear, you should have let it burst, rather than have screamed. This may seem harsh to you, my dear, but it is the best kindness. Self-control, my little girl, is one of the mightiest powers in this world. It is the soul of the ruler, my dear,” said the old skipper; and having taken this text he preached on it until they reached the foot of the Capitol Hill, and he lost his wind in climbing up it. In a short time they reached the Old Capitol prison.