It was not his fault that he stood revealed a hero: the little gods had done it; therefore let him do credit to the chosen of the little gods.

The way he took that old lady's wrinkled hand, and bowed over it, and thanked her, was an ode to manhood.

Everyone was touched.

Those who had been about to titter wondered what on earth Mr.
James had seen to titter at, and Grizel almost clapped her hands with joy; she would have done it altogether had not Tommy just then made the mistake of looking at her for approval.

She fell back, and, intoxicated with himself, he thought it was because her heart was too full for utterance.