That made me comfortable, and when Miss Catherine said, “It’s what I think, too,” I was grateful to myself for getting into that scrape.

Sir Jean de Metz said: 

“We were all in a body together when the donkey brayed, and it was dismally still at the time.  I don’t see how any young campaigner could escape some little touch of that emotion.”

He looked about him with a pleasant expression of inquiry on his good face, and as each pair of eyes in turn met his head they were in nodded a confession.  Even the Paladin delivered his nod.  That surprised everybody, and saved the Standard-Bearer’s credit.  It was clever of him; nobody believed he could tell the truth that way without practice, or would tell that particular sort of a truth either with or without practice.  I suppose he judged it would favorably impress the family.  Then the old treasurer said: 

“Passing the forts in that trying way required the same sort of nerve that a person must have when ghosts are about him in the dark, I should think.  What does the Standard-Bearer think?”

“Well, I don’t quite know about that, sir.  I’ve often thought I would like to see a ghost if I—­”

“Would you?” exclaimed the young lady.  “We’ve got one!  Would you try that one?  Will you?”

She was so eager and pretty that the Paladin said straight out that he would; and then as none of the rest had bravery enough to expose the fear that was in him, one volunteered after the other with a prompt mouth and a sick heart till all were shipped for the voyage; then the girl clapped her hands in glee, and the parents were gratified, too, saying that the ghosts of their house had been a dread and a misery to them and their forebears for generations, and nobody had ever been found yet who was willing to confront them and find out what their trouble was, so that the family could heal it and content the poor specters and beguile them to tranquillity and peace.

Chapter 18 Joan’s First Battle-Field

About noon I was chatting with Madame Boucher; nothing was going on, all was quiet, when Catherine Boucher suddenly entered in great excitement, and said: 

“Fly, sir, fly!  The Maid was doing in her chair in my room, when she sprang up and cried out, ’French blood is flowing!—­my arms, give me my arms!’ Her giant was on guard at the door, and he brought D’Aulon, who began to arm her, and I and the giant have been warning the staff.  Fly!—­and stay by her; and if there really is a battle, keep her out of it—­don’t let her risk herself—­there is no need—­if the men know she is near and looking on, it is all that is necessary.  Keep her out of the fight—­don’t fail of this!”

I started on a run, saying, sarcastically—­for I was always fond of sarcasm, and it was said that I had a most neat gift that way: 

“Oh, yes, nothing easier than that—­I’ll attend to it!”