Mrs. Carmichael had shifted from her defiant
attitude, and her hard, set face expressed a grim satisfaction not
unmixed with pity.
"Now, Mrs. Berry, what about you?" she said. "Captain Nicholson has
wasted enough time with you women. You must make up your mind--if
you've got one," she concluded, in a smothered undertone.
Mrs. Berry drew herself up from her cowering position. Her teeth were
still chattering with terror, but Nicholson saw that the crisis of
panic was over. There was a curious look of obstinate resolve on the
usually weak and silly face.
"If all the men are remaining, I suppose my husband remains, too?" she
asked.
"Yes; he is helping Colonel Carmichael with the defenses."
Wonderful indeed are the _volte-faces_ of which a character is
capable! Nicholson, to whom human nature was a book of revelations,
watched with a sense almost of awe this mean, petty and brainless
woman, who a moment before had been whimpering with fear, smooth out
her skirts and arrange her hair as though death were not sitting at
her elbow.
"I am sure," she said, in a sharp voice which still trembled, "I can
do what Mrs. Cary can do. I shall stay--please tell Percy so, with my
love. And I should like to see him if possible before the end."
Nicholson bowed to her, and for the first time in their acquaintance
the salute had a genuine significance.
"I am proud to have such countrywomen!" he said, and then added in a
low tone as he passed Lois: "The cathedral is nearly finished.
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