little
convalescent, that's not it.
What would _you_ think of a man who was ordered into battle, and went
grumbling and wishing he were in bed?"
"What should I think of the fellow? Why, I should know he was a
coward," I said.
"And if he were confined to bed," said the Sea-captain, "and lay
grumbling and wishing he were in battle, I should give
him no better a name;
For the courage that dares, and the courage that bears, are really
one and the same."
Hold my hand, little Sister, and nurse my head, for I'm thinking, and
I very much fear
You've had no good of being well since I was ill; I've led you such a
life; but indeed I am obliged to you, dear!
Is it true that Nurse has got something the matter with her legs, and
that Mary has gone home because she's worn out with nursing,
And won't be fit to work for months? (will _she_ be convalescent,
because it was such hard work waiting on _me_?) and did Cook
say, "So much grumbling and complaining is nigh as big a sin
as swearing and cursing"?
I wish I hadn't been so cross with poor Mary, and I wish I hadn't given
so much trouble about my medicine and my food.
I didn't think about her. I only thought what a bother it was. I wish
I hadn't thought so much about being miserable, that I never
thought of trying to be good.
I believe the Sea-captain is right, and I shall tell him so to-morrow,
when he comes here to tea;
He's going to look at my blackbird's leg, and if it is really set, he
wants me to let it go free.
He says captivity is worse than convalescence, and so I should think
it must be.
Are you tired, little Sister? You feel shaky. Don't beg my pardon; I
beg yours. I've not let you go out of my sight for weeks.
Get your things on, and have a gallop on Jack.
Ride round this way and let me see you. I won't say a word about
wishing I was going too; and if my head gets bad whilst
you're away, I will bear it my very best till you come back.
Tell me one thing before you start. If I learn to be patient, shall I
learn to be brave, do you think? The Sea-captain says so.
He says, "Self-command is the making of a man," and