"
"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.
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