thinkDan’solddistrustforthesegoodpeoplevanishedforever，thesoftspotinhisheartwastouched，andhefeltanimpetuousdesiretoprovehimselfworthyoftheloveandpitythatwassopatientandforgiving。Hesaidnothing，heonlywishedthewishwithallhismight，resolvedtotryinhisblindboyishway，andsealedhisresolutionwiththetearswhichneitherpain，fatigue，norlonelinesscouldwringfromhim。
“Comeandseehisfoot。Iamafraiditisbadlyhurt，forhehaskeptonthreedaysthroughheatanddust，withnothingbutwaterandanoldjackettobinditupwith。Itellyou，Fritz，thatboyisabravelad，andwillmakeafinemanyet。“
“Ihopeso，foryoursake，enthusiasticwoman，yourfaithdeservessuccess。
Now，IwillgoandseeyourlittleSpartan。Whereishe？“
“Inmyroom；but，dear，you’llbeverykindtohim，nomatterhowgruffheseems。Iamsurethatisthewaytoconquerhim。Hewon’tbearsternnessnormuchrestraint，butasoftwordandinfinitepatiencewillleadhimasitusedtoleadme。“