"
Ellen gave him a good part of the battle, with the
introduction to it.
"You have a good memory, Ellen," he said, looking pleased.
"Because I like it, Sir; that makes it easy to remember. I
like the Scots people."
"Do you?" said Mr. Lindsay much gratified. "I did not know you
liked anything on this side of the water. Why do you like
them?"
"Because they never would be conquered by the English."
"So," said Mr. Lindsay, half-amused and half-disappointed,
"the long and the short of it is, you like them because they
fought the enemies you were so eager to have a blow at."
"Oh no, Sir," said Ellen, laughing, "I do not mean that at
all; the French were England's enemies too, and helped us
besides; but I like the Scots a great deal better than the
French. I like them because they would be free."
"You have an extraordinary taste for freedom! And pray, are
all the American children as strong republicans as yourself?"
"I don't know, Sir; I hope so."
"Pretty well, upon my word! Then I suppose even the Bruce
cannot rival your favourite Washington in your esteem?"
Ellen smiled.
"Eh?" said Mr. Lindsay.
"I like Washington better, Sir, of course; but I like Bruce
very much."
"Why do you prefer Washington?"
"I should have to think to tell you that, Sir."
"Very well, think, and answer me."
"One reason, I suppose, is because he was an American," said
Ellen.
Pages:
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851
852
853
854
855
856
857
858
859
860
861
862
863
864
865